MIND OF THE CHURCH

God cannot deny Himself,

nor can truth ever be in opposition to truth...

Either the dogmas of faith

are not understood and explained

in accordance with the mind of the church

or unsound views are mistaken for

the conclusions of reason.

- First Vatican Council

Hi! I'm Joanne Baker, a mother of 9 whose passion is

studying the Summa

Theologiae of St.

Thomas Aquinas...

more.

When Magisterium Errs: 'Obsequium Religiosum'

'Nulla Salus' Pt. 1: No Salvation Outside the Church

Mary Co-redemptrix - Is the Title Traditional?

What (you didn't know) Vatican II Said About the Sacred Liturgy

Vatican II: The Tumult and the Hermeneutics

Responding to Tyrannical Rule - St. Aquinas

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Joanne Baker

Jun 215 min read

Sacraments

What Makes A Mass Better?

There are various respects in which one Mass can be compared to another. Here are some questions we might ask.

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Joanne Baker

Jun 213 min read

Sacred Liturgy

Can We Think a Mass is Better?

Is it a sin of vainglory and pride to think that one form of worship is better than another? What would better mean?

14 views

Joanne Baker

Apr 2612 min read

Aquinas

Cut off from Christ Pt. 2: Schism

How does one judge whether we are fighting evil or legitimate authority? It is the difference between virtuous fortitude and schism.

38 views

Joanne Baker

Mar 92 min read

Aquinas

My Saint Turns 750

Mar 7, 2024 was the 750th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas' entrance into eternal life. My special saint!

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Joanne Baker

Mar 610 min read

Morality

Cut Off from Christ Pt. 1: Heresy

Can a pope become a heretic and therefore be outside of the Church? Formal manifest heresy, excommunication, and pride.

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Joanne Baker

Feb 8, 20228 min read

Aquinas

Define: Woman. Part 2

The difference which makes a human female is rooted in her individuating principles and ordered to...

37 views

Joanne Baker

Feb 7, 20226 min read

Aquinas

Define: Woman.

Part 1 While it is sufficient for a groom to know by common estimation that his bride is a woman, a theologian must be able to define woman

80 views

Joanne Baker

Jun 16, 202014 min read

Aquinas

Responding to Tyrannical Rule - St. Aquinas

As public authorities trample on the rights of Christians, we look to St. Thomas Aquinas' "On Kingship."

135 views

Joanne Baker

Apr 15, 20205 min read

My Published Articles

Without the Sacraments

It is a frightening time when we do not have access to the Sacraments. How should we use this time most profitably to obtain grace?

92 views

Study Group (Segment 4/4): On Criticizing the Pope

Joanne Baker

Jul 9, 20191 min read

Aquinas

Study Group (Segment 4/4): On Criticizing the Pope

Segment 4/4 on Scandal and Piety. This is the LAST segment of our discussion of the text: Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?

37 views

Study Group (Segment 3/4): On Criticizing the Pope

Joanne Baker

Jul 1, 20191 min read

The Pope

Study Group (Segment 3/4): On Criticizing the Pope

This is Segment 3/4 of our discussion of the paper: "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?" by Joanne M.M. Baker, published by HPR.

27 views

Study Group (Segment 2/4): On Criticizing the Pope

Joanne Baker

Jun 14, 20191 min read

Aquinas

Study Group (Segment 2/4): On Criticizing the Pope

This is Segment 2/4 of our discussion of the paper: "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?" by Joanne M.M. Baker, published by HPR.

43 views

Study Group Video: On Criticizing the Pope (Segment 1/4)

Joanne Baker

Jun 4, 20191 min read

Aquinas

Study Group Video: On Criticizing the Pope (Segment 1/4)

This is Segment 1/4 of our discussion of the paper: "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?" by Joanne M.M. Baker, published by HPR.

50 views

Joanne Baker

May 16, 20196 min read

Aquinas

Aquinas Texts: Pt. 2 of "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?"

These are the Summa Theologiae passages I referenced in Part 2 of my article: Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope? (For passages...

35 views

Aquinas Texts: Pt. 1 of "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?"

Joanne Baker

May 16, 201914 min read

Aquinas

Aquinas Texts: Pt. 1 of "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?"

These are the Summa Theologiae passages I referenced in Part 1 of my article: Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope? I’ve provided links...

60 views

Joanne Baker

May 6, 20191 min read

My Published Articles

Is It Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?

When is it virtuous to criticize someone, especially one to whom we owe reverence? We look at the Thomistic moral principles.

103 views