How the Saints Overcame Distraction During Prayer
St. Bernard was traveling with a poor, uneducated farmer, who noticed that the abbot kept his eyes cast downward. When the farmer asked why the saint wasn’t looking at the beautiful countryside, Bernard explained that he wanted to avoid distractions while praying. ☩ Fr. Joseph M. Esper of Catholic Exchange
The “Gotcha Game” Played by Fr. Martin
The main reason I’m writing about this is because of responses like our good ol’ friend James Martin, LGBTSJ. I mean, the guy seems positively giddy. Can you just imagine him pumping his fist and saying, “They caught a conservative, heterosexual abuser! Woot!”? ☩ One Mad Mom
Except the Lord Build the House: Restoring a Sense of Beauty
The men who built the cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres did not have diesel engines, or lightweight metals like soft aluminum or firm titanium, or steel girders. . . ☩ Anthony M. Esolen, Ph.D., of The Institute for Sacred Architecture
Explaining to Family Why He Left the Denominations for the Catholic Church
“I converted because I lost all the discussions I had with a Catholic workmate – if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. . . ☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith
Pope Francis. . .Bad News From His Argentina
Latest 'episode' is in danger of smashing to smithereens the strategy that Francis has adopted for addressing the question of sexual abuse committed by sacred ministers. ☩ Sandro Magister of Settimo Cielo via L'Espresso
Answering the 'Ecological' Argument for Contraception
Some people argue that the Church’s teaching on contraception isn’t just wrong, it’s a threat to the planet. They view contraception as a benefit to society. . . ☩ Todd Aglialoro of Catholic Answers Magazine
Where to begin in the spiritual life, according to St. Catherine of Siena
☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia
A First Look at the New Brébeuf Hymnal
☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement
Is There a Catholic View on the Border Wall?
☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of National Catholic Register
Mexican President Obrador Calls For Border Wall To Help Keep Out Drunk College Students From Entering Country During Spring Break
☩ Eye of the Tiber (Warning: Satire)
What is Opus Dei? A CNA Explainer
Founded in A.D. 1928 by Fr. Josemaria Escriva, a vision to help layity understand the baptismal calling of holiness & evangelization. . .“work of God,”- or, in Latin, “Opus Dei.” ☩ CNA via The Catholic World Report
Sword and Spade: A New Magazine for Catholic Men for a New Year
If there were ever a time for a magazine for Catholic men, the time is now. ☩ Jason Craig of Those Catholic Men
God & Caesar
Liberalism Against the Church
Liberalism, says Helena Rosenblatt, has grown ineffective as it has forgotten the role that public morality, virtue, and conceptions of the common good played in its development. ☩ Gladden J. Pappin, Ph.D., of First Things
Anglican Ordinariate
Making your support real & not theoretical
I have had some conversations with some people involved in Ordinariate life about those who tacitly support the Ordinariates, or the Anglicanorum Coetibus Society but tacit support is as far as it goes. ☩ Deborah Gyapong of The Anglicanorum Coetibus Society
She Was Getting Treatment for Depression But Otherwise in Good Health, Doctors Euthanized Her
Europe’s top human rights court has agreed to hear a case being brought against Belgium by a man whose mother was euthanized in 2012 for depression. ☩ SPUC via Life News
Beijing’s “New” Cathedral: Renewal of a Classical Monument
“When we build, let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for. . . ☩ Anthony E. Clark, Ph.D., of The Institute for Sacred Architecture
American Psychological Association Says Traditional Masculinity Is Pathological
According to the APA, ‘components of traditional masculinity’ include ‘emotional stoicism, homophobia, not showing vulnerability, self-reliance, and competitiveness.’ ☩ D.C. McAllister of the Federalist
God & Caesar
Democratic Congresswoman Calls Out Fellow Democrats for ‘Religious Bigotry’
Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat from Hawaii, published an op-ed in The Hill, implicitly criticizing two of her fellow Democratic congresswomen for subjecting a judicial nominee to a religious test as a result of his Catholic faith & his long-time membership in the Knights of Columbus. ☩ Alessandra De Sanctis of National Review
Protestant Nationalism & Catholic Empire? A Comment on Yoram Hazony
Leading Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin recognized the Ten Commandments as natural law. . . ☩ James R. Rogers, Ph.D. J.D., of Law and Liberty
What Modesty Is & Isn’t. . .& Why It Matters
☩ John Paul Meenan of Crisis Magazine
Unique From Day One: 76 Marches for Life Scheduled Across the U.S.
☩ Patty Knap of National Catholic Register
Yes, there's a Jesus angle — & a Chick-fil-A one — in Clemson's football national title
☩ Bobby Ross, Jr., of Get Religion
Books
These Are Four of the Best Catholic Children’s Books Available
☩ Jessica McAfee of epicPew
From Giotto to Rubens: The Baptism of the Lord in Painting
☩ Kinga Lipinska of Liturgical Arts Journal