The Magis Center

Today the Church celebrates the newly established memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. Before this wonderful day was established by Pope Francis, the late Fr. Pilon called to mind that in the same moment that Mary birthed the Christ Child she also birthed the Church. https://hubs.ly/H0NY1VZ0

Today the Church remembers St. Rita of Cascia, the patron saint of impossible causes. Read about the miracles that led to her canonization. https://hubs.li/H0Ncv0k0

Before Christ ascended into Heaven he promised He would send us the Holy Spirit to be our advocate. The Catechism teaches that the Spirit proceeds from the love of the Father and the Son. Fr. Spitzer explains this mystery in the segment linked below from Father Spitzer's Universe. https://hubs.li/H0Nct4r0

Though it is a required belief for Catholics, the teaching of the Assumption of Mary has faced significant opposition for many years. https://hubs.li/H0NJkdK0

The ancient philosophers posited that wonder is the beginning of wisdom. The modern world denies its capacity to wonder by accepting as gospel truth the ideas of scientific materialism. One way out of the cage of scientific materialism is the use of myths. Myths enable man to get out of himself and enter into a story where good conquers evil and a transcendent reality reigns. Fr. Spitzer often uses J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings," as an example of ...a myth that reminds one of our transcendent nature. Tolkien (picture of him featured below) himself understood the importance of myths writing: [Myths are] the best waysometimes the only wayof conveying truths that would otherwise remain inexpressible. We have come from God and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Now myths are not the only way of awakening the world to transcendence, but they are one way that have helped many people understand that we were made for more than the material world. What is your preferred method of awakening yourself and others to our transcendent nature? For more on myths check out this article --- The Purpose of a Myth: Insights from J.R.R. Tolkien and Mircea Eliade https://hubs.li/H0NwM990

The Vatican Observatory is doing important work to keep the dialogue of faith and science alive both in the Church and in the World. This was all made possible by the late Fr. George Coyne who revitalized the work of the Vatican Observatory after he was appointed as head of the observatory by Pope John Paul 1 in 1978. The Vatican Observatory continues to make discoveries in Astronomy using the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope at Mount Graham International Observatory in Arizona and the Zeiss Visual Refractor Telescope located at the papal residence in Castle Gandolfo, Italy. https://hubs.ly/H0Nn22M0

Announcing "The Purposeful Universe" Campaign! Does the significant order in our universe provide evidence for or against a purpose? Or is it silent? If there is a purpose behind the universe, it's time humanity embrace it. Dr. Dan Kuebler, molecular biologist, makes the case that order in the cosmos implies purpose.... Click to watch the full video! https://bit.ly/35pX74T

True or false, there are indicators in nature of order, but not purpose. Tell us why in the comments below!

The very precise fine-tuning of the initial physical constants (e.g., gravity, the electromagnetic force) of the universe is evidence of an intelligent agent acting with a purpose. Agree or disagree?

Thank you, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse, for interviewing Fr. Spitzer on the mission of Magis Center and on our Templeton-funded campaign The Purposeful Universe"

Has the universe organized itself or been organized? "That the universe has organized its own self-awareness is for me powerful evidence that there is 'something going on' behind it all. The impression of design is overwhelming. Science may explain all the processes whereby the universe evolves its own destiny, but that still leaves room for there to be a meaning behind existence." - Paul Davies, physicist... The Cosmic Blueprint: New Discoveries In Nature's Ability To Order Universe Watch our video on The Purposeful Universe: https://bit.ly/2Rz5Ut6

Is there meaning behind the governing laws of nature? "Nature is the aggregate of the bodies, that make up the world, in its present state, considered as a principle, by virtue whereof, they act and suffer, according to the laws of motion, prescribed by the author of things." - Robert Boyle, physicist and chemist "A Free Inquiry into the Vulgar Notion of Nature" 1686... Watch our full 8-minute documentary on The Purposeful Universe: https://bit.ly/2Rz5Ut6

"The universe is filled with order from top to bottom. And it's a beautiful order! And not only is it beautiful, it's order we can actually comprehend." - Dr. Dan Kuebler, Molecular and Cell Biologist Watch the full video https://bit.ly/2Rz5Ut6

Many people are familiar with Anne Frank’s diary, but few have heard of Etty Hillesum’s diary, An Interrupted Life. https://hubs.li/H0ytRX40

From the archives! St. John Paul II, pray for us! https://magiscenter.com/the-miracle-that-made-pope-john-pa/

On this feast day of John Paul II, we want to recommend a recently released book, 100 Ways John Paul II Changed the World by Patrick Novecosky, Author/Speaker https://hubs.li/H0ypLjP0

If we hope to heal our culture and move forward as a civilized people, we would be wise to consider the exceptional character of Amy Coney Barrett. https://hubs.li/H0yjmNq0

The Fine-Tuning argument demonstrates that the universe cannot cause or even explain its own existence. Here are four examples of Fine-Tuning in the universe. https://hubs.ly/H0ydm350

Jesuit priest, Fr. George Lemaitre was the first to posit the Big Bang Theory. Although the Big Bang theory is considered the standard model among physicists and cosmologists today, it is still useful to examine the evidence that supports the theory. https://hubs.li/H0y8kWd0

If there is evolution, is there also a purpose? Watch the full video here https://bit.ly/2Rz5Ut6

Do you think the universe has purpose? "I propose to show that God, in creating the universe and arranging the spheres, had in view the five regular solids of geometry. - Johannes Kepler, mathematician and astronomer Mysterium Cosmographicum translated and quoted in The Discovery of Kepler's Laws, 1911.... Watch the full video: https://bit.ly/2Rz5Ut6