Petrarch is often considered the father of the Renaissance. He was born into a legal family and followed in his father’s footsteps by studying law at Bologna. It was among the most prestigious universities at the time, but Petrarch was not interested in law. Frequently, poetry distracted him from his studies. On one occasion, his … More Petrarch and the Spirit of the Renaissance
The Renaissance marked a rekindled interest in Roman and Greek literature in the West. For hundreds of years, the writings of Plato and Cicero were merely footnotes in history. The West had no access to those writings, even though medieval writers frequently referenced them. Towards the end of the High Middle Ages, various scholars including … More Key Ideas of the Renaissance
Divine providence exists in history. An invisible hand guides the events of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. Anyone who looks through the pages of history can see the clear presence of this supernatural force. It is almost as if all lives are single chapters in a grander story that are all guided by this divine providence. When evaluated from a broader historical context, it becomes apparent that coincidences do not exist, and historical chaos is not accidental. … More Providence in Historical Chaos: God’s Order in the 14th-Century Crises
The Black Death (1347-1350) was a catastrophic plague that slaughtered between ¼ and ½ of the European population in the space of three years. Such lethal numbers absolutely dwarf anything any living American has witnessed, including COVID-19. To translate the Black Death’s lethality into numbers that might resonate more with the modern American, if a … More The Black Death (1347-1350)
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis chronicles the miracles of the Order of Friars Minor. As enjoyable as it is to read about the wondrous miracles in the book, Little Flowers scarcely provides the common man with any hope. Contrary to the Gospel, the book indirectly tells the layman purgatory—hellfire—is seemingly his unavoidable destiny. The … More The Little Flowers of St. Francis: Monks in Hell
Asher Sisneros 