Too late have I loved you,
O Beauty so ancient, O Beauty so new,
too late have I loved you!
You were within me but I was outside myself,
and there I sought you!
In my weakness
I ran after the beauty
of the things you have made.
You were with me,
and I was not with you.
The things you have made kept me from you -
the things which would have no being
unless they existed in you!
You have called,
you have cried out,
and you have pierced my deafness.
You have radiated forth,
you have shined out brightly,You have sent fort your fragrance,
and I haved breathed it in,
and I long for you.
I have tasted you,
and I hunger and thirst for you.
You have touched me,
and I ardently desire your peace.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
Bishop, Writer, Doctor
Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine
There's always laughter and good red wine;
At least I've always found it so
Benedicamus Domino.
Hillaire Belloc
I highly recommend 'Triumph; The Power and Glory of the Catholic Church', by H.W. Crocker III.
patent, thanks for the ping, as always.
-your non-Catholic FRiend :)