Jimmy Akin

Don’t tell the ACLU but the motto of Princeton University is Dei sub numine viget (Latin, "Under God’s light she flourishes"). The she likely refers to Princeton, of course, but lately it can also mean the Catholic Church. In a recent column, George Weigel spotlighted the beginnings of a Catholic renaissance on the campus of Princeton University:

"Having taught James Madison at the College of New Jersey (as Princeton was then known), the Rev. John Witherspoon has a claim to the honorable title, ‘Grandfather of the U.S. Constitution.’ What, I wonder, would a good Presbyterian Scotsman like Witherspoon make of the fact that Princeton University Chapel now has a Blessed Sacrament chapel, complete with tabernacle and icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe?

"Some might imagine the good reverend spinning in his grave at an impressive rate of r.p.m.’s. I think he’d be pleased, once he got over the initial shock. For Princeton’s vibrant Catholic community is, today, at the center of the enterprise to which John Witherspoon dedicated his life: the dialogue of faith and reason in the service of democracy and human freedom. If you’re a student looking for an intellectually challenging education and a Catholic community whole-heartedly committed to the new evangelization, or if you’re a parent looking for such a school for your son or daughter, you could do far worse than look at Princeton. Indeed, you’d be far better off with Princeton than with several high-priced institutions whose Catholicism is vestigial at best.

"The Princeton Catholic renaissance is nothing short of amazing — and heartening. It’s currently led by a marvelous chaplain, Father Tom Mullelly, who believes in leading by forming leaders. Three Sunday Masses, a well-attended daily Mass, and adoration of the Blessed sacrament keep Princeton’s Catholics eucharistically centered. The RCIA program brings new Princetonian Catholics into the Church every Holy Week — during which outdoor stations of the cross give a powerful witness to the central story of western civilization. Numerous Bible studies, ‘Catholic principles’ studies, and similar discussion groups maintain a lively conversation about Catholic truth and its application in the world. The campus ministry organizes an annual spring pilgrimage (Rome and Spain were recent destinations). Distinguished Catholic speakers are regularly invited to campus; a Gregorian chant choir offers an introduction to classic Catholic music; and Princeton’s Catholics pray Vespers every Tuesday evening with Princeton’s Episcopalians and Lutherans."

GET THE STORY.

All too often I’m asked by Catholic parents to give a list of 100-percent Catholic colleges and universities. I do my best to help them find that information, but I also caution them to be open to the possibility that there may be vibrant Catholic communities at otherwise secular universities that can act as counterbalance to a secular education. While that’s not as ideal as a 100-percent Catholic college, it’s a much better option than a nominally-Catholic university, an orthodox Catholic college that doesn’t fit a particular student’s education needs, or a secular university devoid of a Catholic presence.

It’s great to know that if your kid is Ivy-League material, Princeton offers a great Catholic environment in which he or she can flourish.

The Christian Science Monitor runs THIS article, in which American service-people in Iraq voice their perplexity at the gloom-and-doom coverage of the war.

While hardly a unique piece, it should be read by everyone with an interest in the U.S. mission in Iraq.

The current national debate is not actually about the Iraq war in particular, so much as it is about whether America has the stomach to really finish anything she starts. It is far more a test of our national attention span than a debate over the merits of the current conflict. We are the ADHD nation, the MTV nation. The truth is, many of us are just tired of hearing about the war.

GET THE STORY.

There seems to be a new understanding about what constitutes a Good War, if not a just one. Many, seemingly, will support a war in theory, but only if it meets the following requirements:

• Victory must be assured (victory being understood as universal approval from our both our allies and our enemies).
• There must be guarantees that no civilians will be harmed. Failure to achieve this makes the U.S. guilty of war crimes.
• There must be no U.S. troop casualties. Any loss of U.S. personnel will be taken as a sign that Things are Going Badly. Only bad guys should be harmed.
• We must know exactly how long the conflict will take. We are a busy people.
• There should be a clearly set spending limit. Any overage will deducted from the next war.
• We reserve the right to Change our Mind in the middle of any conflict. We consider that the above rules are binding, just not on us.

I am thinking of printing the following bumper sticker, a real morale-booster from the far left:

To Our Troops: We Support You!… even though we believe your mission is pointless and possibly evil. We hope you are home soon, you poor saps!

BIG RED DISCLAIMER: This post was NOT written by Jimmy Akin, but by me, Tim Jones, a guest poster. Combox flames should be directed solely at me, Tim Jones. Thank You.