Our Parish Paper, Contra Mundum

The name of our parish paper, Contra Mundum, comes from the Latin phrase “Athanasius contra mundum” meaning “Athanasius against the world.” This phrase described our patron saint even in his own time, as he stood firmly for the fullness of the faith.

Fr. Bradford and the Congregation of Saint Athanasius have published Contra Mundum monthly since 1998 to provide religious instruction and news of the congregation. Contra Mundum includes articles and sermons by Fr. Bradford, articles and other writings by noted classic and contemporary authors, news and notes for the congregation, and announcements of upcoming events.

Parishioners as well as many outside the congregation subscribe. To receive a printed copy of Contra Mundum by mail, email the editor, Susan Russo, with your address.

This year’s issues follow.

August 2022:

  • “A Firm Obedience to the Truth” by John Janaro
  • “Voluntary Expiatory Suffering” by Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
  • “The Final Test of Faith,” a sermon by Father Bradford
  • “The Greatest Joy in the Kingdom of Heaven” by Saint Theresa of Ávila
  • “The Prayer Given by Christ” by Saint Cyprian
  • “Lord Anything of Lasting Worth Is Yours” by John M. Hull

September 2022

  • “Struggles Without, Fears Within” by St Gregory the Great”
  • “In time of War” by Pope Pius XII
  • “Religious Liberty Is Worth Special Protection” by Samuel Alito
  • “Making Gods Love Visible Through His Son” by Madeleine Delbrel
  • “The Winning Ticket is Christ,” a sermon by Father Bradford
  • “Why It Is Called Catholic” by St Cyril of Jerusalem
  • “Upon This Tree” by Saint Ephrem

October 2022

  • “The Worst Type of Poverty” by the Provost of the Brompton (London) Oratory
  • “The Beloved Physician,” a sermon preached by Father Richard Bradford
  • “The Response of Your Freedom,” a sermon preached by Saint John Paul II
  • “A Need of His Heart” by Father Jean C. J. d’Elbee
  • “The Greatness of Our Lady” by Saint Teresa of Calcutta
  • “The First Condition for Holiness” by Sister Wendy Becket
  • “Whatever God Allows” by Caryll Houselander
  • “The Perfect Prayer” by Saint John XXIII
  • “How Did You Do That?” by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

November 2022

  • “A Very Simple and True Thing,” a letter from Ann E. R. Stitt 
  • “Purgatory Will Not Last Forever” by Fr Richard Phelps, S.S.C.
  • “What a Christian Believes About Death” by Fr Herbert Arthur Wilson
  • “Blessed James Thompson” from Magnificat magazine 
  • “English Martyrs” from Magnificat magazine 
  • “Within the Gentleness of Grace” by Pope Leo the Great
  • “Thanksgiving” by President Rutherford B. Hayes
  • “Personally Attractive to Sinners,” a sermon preached by Fr Bradford
  • “The One Reigning King” by Saint Thomas Aquinas

December 2022

  • “Advent in the Tangled Trials of Life” by William Edmund Fahey
  • “He Will be Great”by Dom Anscar Vonier, O.S.B.
  • “Ember Days” by Father Bradford
  • “For the Sake of Doing Good” by Father Bradford
  • “The Curative Regimen of Jesus” by Anthony Esolen
  • “This Kind of Birth” by Saint Leo the Great
  • “Continue Unwaveringly in Hope,” an excerpt from Gaudium et spes

January 2023

  • “Imitate the Piety of the Magi” by the Provost of the Brompton Oratory
  • “The Holy Name of Jesus” by Richard Rolle
  • “Shifting the Language” by Charles C. Camosy
  • “Fire Immersed in Water” by Saint Proclus of Constantinople
  • “The Great Christian Revelation” by Father Louis Bouyer
  • “Development of the Faith Not Alteration” by Saint Vincent of Lerins
  • “The Marriage Feast at Cana” by Pierre-Marie Dumont

February 2023

  • “Self-love Coming at Us” by Father Bradford
  • “Bilge Water and Small Sins” by Saint Augustine
  • “Thoughts on Prayer” by Tito Colliander
  • “Fasting and Almsgiving” by Pope Saint Leo the Great
  • “Re-establishing Friendship with God” by Saint John Paul II
  • “Wedge in a Thought Concerning God’s Goodness” by Edward Bouverie Pusey
  • “Saint Claude La Colombiere” from Magnificat magazine
  • “Truth of an Ontological Character” from Dignitas Personae

March 2023

  • “Ecumenism and Ordinariates 2012” by The Provost of the Brompton (London) Oratory
  • “Walk in His Ways” by Saint John the Serene
  • “No One Told Joseph How to be a Father” by Father Bradford
  • “Saint Frances of Rome” by Pope Benedict XVI
  • “The Gentle Irony of the Theology of the Body” by Jason M. Morgan

The archives with all of the back issues are here.