Discover the joy, peace, beauty, forgiveness, and healing that comes with the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation, also known simply as confession. By Aaron S. Robertson A talk I gave during a retreat for high school catechism students at my parish on April 14, 2024. Sin is the obstacle blocking the joy that God intends for humanity, for each and every one of us. It’s a separation from God and a deviation from His divine will and purpose for creation, and it comes in many forms. Sin is any thought, word, or deed that violates God’s moral law, disrupts the harmony of the created order, and ..read more

Biography of Don Bosco St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco ("Don" is a title given to priests in Italy), born Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco on August 16, 1815, in Becchi, Italy, was an influential Roman Catholic priest, educator, and writer known for his work with disadvantaged youth. His lifelong mission was to provide children and young adults with the educational and spiritual foundation to lead successful and upright lives. Early life and education Giovanni was the youngest son of Francesco Bosco and Margherita Occhiena. Tragedy struck early when his father died, leaving his mother to ..read more

The Democratic-Republican Party, also known simply as the Republican Party or Jeffersonian Republicans, was a political party during the early history of the United States. Formed in the 1790s by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, among others, the Democratic-Republicans emerged in opposition to the Federalist Party, led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. The Democratic-Republican Party represented a distinct political faction with its own platform, ideology, and goals. They advocated for a decentralized federal government, strict interpretation of the Constitution, agrarian interests, an ..read more

The Federalist Papers stand as one of the most influential collections of political essays in American history. Published between 1787 and 1788, these essays played a crucial role in shaping the discourse surrounding the ratification of the United States Constitution. Comprising 85 essays, the Federalist Papers were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius." The primary objective of the Federalist Papers was to advocate for the ratification of the Constitution, presenting a robust defense of its principles and structure. The need for the Federali ..read more

The Missouri Compromise: Balancing act in a divided nation Introduction The Missouri Compromise, enacted in 1820, was a pivotal legislative act in the early history of the United States that aimed to balance the power between slave and free states. This compromise, which admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, sought to maintain a delicate balance in Congress. It also established a geographic line (the 36°30' parallel) across the Louisiana Territory, north of which slavery was prohibited (except in Missouri). The Missouri Compromise was one of the first major attempts t ..read more

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854: A prelude to the Civil War Introduction The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in American history. Proposed by U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas, a Democrat representing Illinois, the Act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening new lands to settlement and, most controversially, allowing the settlers there to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery through the principle of popular sovereignty. This legislation overturned the Missouri Compromise, which had prohibited slavery in that region f ..read more

The Wilmot Proviso: Catalyst for sectional conflict Introduction The Wilmot Proviso was a proposed amendment to a military appropriations bill in 1846, introduced by Pennsylvania Congressman David Wilmot. Its purpose was simple yet profoundly impactful: to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American War. Though never enacted into law, the Wilmot Proviso ignited a fierce debate over slavery in the United States, exacerbating sectional tensions between the North and South and foreshadowing the conflicts that would eventually lead to the Civil War. The ..read more

The Compromise of 1850: A pivotal moment in American history Introduction The Compromise of 1850 stands as a crucial juncture in the history of the United States, marking a temporary détente in the bitter regional conflicts over slavery that threatened to tear the nation apart. This complex set of laws passed by Congress aimed to address the territorial and slavery controversies arising from the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the subsequent acquisition of new lands. The Compromise had far-reaching impacts on the North, the South, and the emerging territories, setting the stage for the ..read more

A brief overview of the book, History of the Peloponnesian War, written by Thucydides. Why is this work by Thucydides considered a foundational text in the discipline of international relations? What can we still learn and apply from this ancient text in today's time? Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War: A timeless lens into international relations (IR) Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War stands as a cornerstone in the study of international relations, not only for its historical significance but also for its profound insights into the complexities of human conflict and pow ..read more

Part of an ongoing, occasional series looking at the state of democracy and the political process in the United States in light of the 2024 presidential election. A brief essay on the Whig Party in the United States. How and when did the Whig Party form? What was the Whig Party's core beliefs and policy agenda? Who were the Whig presidents, and what were their noteworthy accomplishments, if any, while in office? Was the Whig Party in the United States considered a third party? The rise and fall of the Whig Party in the United States The Whig Party, a significant political force in the Unite ..read more