29 March AD 2024

THVRSDAY EDITION

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

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