The Imaginative Conservative

G.K. Chesterton was born this day in 1874: Men need an image, single, coloured and clear in outline, an image to be called up instantly in the imagination, when what is Catholic is to be distinguished from what claims to be Christian or even what in one sense is Christian. Now I can scarcely remember a time when the image of Our Lady did not stand up in my mind quite definitely, at the mention or the thought of all these things. (by G.K. Chesterton)

Mary and the Convert ~ The Imaginative Conservative Men need an image, single, coloured and clear in outline, an image to be called up instantly in the imagination, when what is Catholic is to be distinguished from what claims to be Christian or even what in one sense is Christian. Now I can scarcely remember a time when the image of

The Federalist Papers were published as a whole on this date in 1788: Where in the Constitution does one find the separation of powers mentioned? Where does the expression “checks and balances" occur? They are not in the Constitution. We use them because they are terms upon the basis of which the Constitution was accepted. And it is the agreement reached on those things that constitutes the true Constitution of the United States. (essay by William B. Allen)

The Constitutionalism of The Federalist Papers ~ The Imaginative Conservative Where in the Constitution does one find the separation of powers mentioned? Where does the expression “checks and balances" occur? They are not in the Constitution. We use them because they are terms upon the basis of which the Constitution was accepted. And it is the agreement reached on those th...

Modernity and modernism, and all their fruits, are deeply opposed to the conservative vision. Conservatism seeks harmony, unity, justice, and dignity. Far from fragmenting life, it seeks to draw all together. (essay by Bradley J. Birzer)

Defining Modernity ~ The Imaginative Conservative Modernity and modernism, and all their fruits, are deeply opposed to the conservative vision. Conservatism seeks harmony, unity, justice, and dignity. Far from fragmenting life, it seeks to draw all together. As we wrestle with our present twenty-first century day—its successes and its

If your heart yearns for good to triumph over evil, for beauty to emerge from squalor, and for the vindication of strong heroes who can fight, shoot, and pray, "Les Misérables" will be an exhilarating experience. (essay by Barbara J. Elliott)

"Les Misérables": A Rousing Tale for Slumbering Souls - The Imaginative Conservative If you are allergic to emotion, this may not be the film for you. But if your heart yearns for good to triumph over evil, for beauty to emerge from squalor, and for the vindication of strong heroes who can fight, shoot, and pray,

What can our poor prayers—so broken like ourselves—do for if not echo constantly the very petition Jesus has made known to us? Nothing else will matter in eternity.(essay by Brian Sudlow)

Only Love Abides ~ The Imaginative Conservative What can our poor prayers—so broken like ourselves—do for if not echo constantly the very petition Jesus has made known to us? Nothing else will matter in eternity. John 17: 20-26 continues the priestly prayer of Jesus that we

Most Christians, including Paul, would say the Resurrection is the basis of our entire faith, but without creation, there can be no Incarnation or Resurrection. (essay by Regis Martin)

Why Being Rather Than Nothingness? Part III ~ The Imaginative Conservative Most Christians, including Paul, would say the Resurrection is the basis of our entire faith, but without creation, there can be no Incarnation or Resurrection. If you were to randomly ask an average Christian, even one who does not routinely pray, pay, or obey,

Christian schools must not follow their secular counterparts in their educational approach. They must surround their students with the noble, the beautiful, and the true in all areas of the curriculum and the academic environment, encouraging them to become like what they see. (essay by Andrew Seeley)

Teaching Virtue: The Dot and the Line ~ The Imaginative Conservative Christian schools must not follow their secular counterparts in their educational approach. They must surround their students with the noble, the beautiful, and the true in all areas of the curriculum and the academic environment, encouraging them to become like what they see.

Howard Pyle’s historical tale illustrates G.K. Chesterton’s claim that fairy tales tell us that “dragons can be killed.” Young Otto is not himself a dragonslayer, but he is an image of the child who can withstand the assault of hatred and brutality without taking on those characteristics himself. (essay by David Deavel)

Brutality & Compassion: Howard Pyle’s “Otto of the Silver Hand” ~ The Imaginative Conservative Howard Pyle’s historical tale illustrates G.K. Chesterton’s claim that fairy tales tell us that “dragons can be killed.” Young Otto is not himself a dragonslayer, but he is an image of the child who can withstand the assault of hatred and brutality without taking on those characteristics him...

This Memorial Day I honor the men and women of the United States military who have sacrificed their lives while doing their duty to the Republic. (essay by Winston Elliott)

Remembering in Gratitude Those Who Did Their Duty to the Republic - The Imaginative Conservative Today I honor the men and women of the United States military who have sacrificed their lives while doing their duty to the Republic. For them, and their families, I ask God to bless them and keep them. And for the fallen of the 1st Brigade

Michel de la Tour D’Auvergne gave his horse to his servant. He watched the man take the two animals to the head of the bridge over the Grosne, and then with a sudden gesture of complete release he threw himself down on the river bank and gave himself up without reserve to the scene before him. For it was of this that he had been thinking night and day ever since his ordination three months ago. (by Helen C. White)

A Priest to Face the Revolution ~ The Imaginative Conservative Michel de la Tour D’Auvergne gave his horse to his servant. He watched the man take the two animals to the head of the bridge over the Grosne, and then with a sudden gesture of complete release he threw himself down on the river

When St. Peter was asked how to receive the outpouring of God’s love on the first Pentecost he answered, “repent,” just as Our Lady keeps asking us to keep repenting in prayer. For it is here alone that our acts of love enable us to receive God’s love in return. (essay by David Torkington)

How to Pray in Mystical Contemplation II ~ The Imaginative Conservative When St. Peter was asked how to receive the outpouring of God’s love on the first Pentecost he answered, “repent,” just as Our Lady keeps asking us to keep repenting in prayer. For it is here alone that our acts of love enable us to receive God’s love in return.