Fall of Constantinople in 1453

May 29, in 1453 marked the end of the siege which began on April 6th and the final fall of Constantinople to the young Ottoman sultan Mahomet II. This event is seen by many historians as the end of the "Middle Ages" and the the resulting flight of many of the empire's intellectuals to Italy as the beginning of the Renaissance period. It was a great blow to Christendom and opened the way for further Muslim agression and invasions into Europe. Despite this great success of Mahomet II he was later prevented by the valiant knights of St. John on Rhodes from conquering their island.

Extraordinary Form of the Mass at St. John Vianney Seminary

This past Saturday the Extraordinary Form of the Mass was celebrated for the first time in the chapel of the St. John Vianney College Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

St. John Vianney is a wonderful place for young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Currently there are 135 young men from several Dioceses studying there. Even those that do not continue on to the priesthood will have received a very Catholic formation which will serve them and society very well in whatever other vocation they follow.

Like many seminaries SJV went through a difficult period in the 1980's but beginning with the arrival of the Archbishop Harry Flynn in the 90's and the appointment of solid Rectors it has really turned around.

Georgetown Scandal