Ancient truths in new light

The Catholic Church has a rich history of published journals. One only need think of The Thomist and its intellectual rigour and clarity; Communio and its timely arrival amidst the chaos and confusion of the 1970s, and perhaps the most well-known of which in the English-speaking world, although itself not Catholic- Newman’s Tracts for the Times. Catholicism, and Christianity more broadly, has always seen the need to put into words the truths we hold dear. This is something hardwired into the Church’s spiritual DNA. Even the great letters of St. Paul are in some way, a kind of journal that captures the Christian concern to write down what we know to be true and what we want to be known by others. There is something about the human experience that requires things immaterial to be made into things quantifiable. It was not enough for God to declare the redemption of all men from on high; he had to take on the flesh that he Himself wanted to redeem. On this side of eternity, men need the physical in order to make sense of the metaphysical. And so, we write things down.

In Australia too we have a great written tradition in journal form. Annals of Australasia was until its final publication in 2019, Australia’s oldest continuously published magazine. It was founded in 1889. It had a long and rich history that enlightened the minds of many a Catholic across the world. However, these initiatives are much easier to begin than they are to maintain. Especially given our contemporary tendency to not read anything longer than a tweet or a text. It is hard to capture the depth and mystery of the Christian faith in 160 characters or less. Some of our peers prefer the long-from interview and podcasts, made possible by modern means of communication. These provide invaluable and convenient ways to inform oneself about topics that are hard to fathom. There is something about the written word that is both perennial and undeniable- even if, at the moment, it may be out of fashion.

Reading something well takes effort. It requires your attention in a way that listening does not. Listening to someone else’s thoughts can be quietly deceptive. Not that the person talking is trying to mislead you, it is that you deceive yourself into thinking that their level of expression and understanding is your own. Many a student, who relied on listening and did not do the reading, found that his understanding was not sufficient for him to advance to his course’s next year of study when examination day arrives. What seemed easy to follow in the lecture hall while, the professor waxed lyrical about Virgil’s Aeneid or modern tort law, is another thing entirely when you are asked to make your own evaluation about a particularity difficult question to interpret. What the professor was giving you was the fruits of many years of reading. Reading brings a qualitative difference to your understanding. It will also improve your writing and sharpen your speech. But you must read the written word.

Christians especially must be prepared to do a bit of reading. Not least of which is Sacred Scripture. But also, the Fathers of the Church. Her doctors, documents, theologians, saints and mystics all contribute to the fabric of the Christian life. But the reason is not just for the pleasure of reading, but rather so that we may be able to give an account of the hope that is in us (1Peter 3:15). We are preparing ourselves for a different kind of final exam.

The Oriens Journal is a publication that you should dedicate some time to reading. Its task is to present the riches and depth of the Catholic Tradition to a new generation in a moment when clarity in doctrine is lacking and adequate formation is wanting. The truths of the faith have not become less true- but they are made less clear when those entrusted with them are less than forthright about what they mean and what they require. We have allowed a certain fixation with the genteel to derail our need for the forthright. Social etiquette that bends to the tastes of an age is no substitute for the truth, for that is a counterfeit charity. What we preach will always be unpopular. We cannot tell what the next generation will find distasteful or difficult to swallow about the Gospel. This generation’s task is not to pre-empt what that may be. The task is to simply show them how we faced and overcame our own struggles. They will be more inspired by our courage, please God, than they will be impressed with our manners.

There is a particular way that the authors hope that you read the Oriens Journal. These articles are longer than what you would normally find online. But the idea of the Journal is not that you would read it like a newspaper. A better way of reading the Journal is to follow one specific author. For each author’s undertaking is to give you a formation- and for that you need to develop a teacher-pupil relationship. Consider following one author rather than trying to read every article in a single sitting. Each author will offer a different perspective on formation in the Catholic Faith. Catholicism in cyberspace has no shortage of pundits, commentators and influencers. What it lacks is masters of the Christian life. Stable points of reference to whom you can turn when things around you, or inside of you, begin to break down. Think of each author as a potential point of reference- a spiritual father- in your Christian life. The Oriens Journal is designed in a way that you can interact with the authors and seek their guidance should you need it. We have made the Journal as interactive as is possible on the online platform. We hope that you will treat this as a font of formation. We pray that what our team of authors bring to you will make you worthy of His Kingdom.

November 1, 2024
Solemnity of All Saints