FRIDAY EDITION
Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast
☩ Team Catholify
Well-Respected Australian Journalist (& Atheist): George Cardinal Pell was falsely convicted of sexually abusing two boys
Divisive columnist Andrew Bolt has come out in defence of disgraced Cardinal George Pell, saying he is the victim of a witch hunt. ☩ Ben Graham
What happens to priests who father children? Vatican cardinal explains the guidelines
The Vatican wants to make it easier for those men to leave the priesthood so they can take responsibility for the children, Cardinal Stella said ☩ Cindy Wooden of CNA via Catholic Herald
Six Things to Do Before Lent
Lent is less than a month away, & this year, we’re preparing our hearts to enter into the greatest story ever told. It’s a whirlwind of emotions, going from Genesis to Jesus in Sacred Scripture. We know how the story ends, but are we prepared for the long road to get there? This Lent, we’re taking a few steps to get ready to enter the desert. Here’s how we’re getting ready for the demanding, powerful, joyful story presented in Genesis to Jesus. . . ☩ St. Paul Center
Come Join the Catholic Church
The grace is here for the asking. ☩ Sherry Antonetti of National Catholic Register
Understanding & Combating the Francis Effect
A fine Machiavellian tool box has been assembled. ☩ Jonathan B. Coe of Crisis Magazine
Please Stop Leaving Mass Early Right After Communion!
You’ve almost certainly seen it. It’s a problem at virtually all Catholic parishes I’ve been to: some Catholics will attend Mass, receive communion & then immediately leave Mass before it’s finished. ☩ Brantley Millegan of ChurchPOP
A Fresh Look at the Stations of the Cross
. . .Gary Jansen takes an even deeper look at this suffering and how we can apply the lessons of Jesus’ Passion to our lives. ☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand
Study Claiming Prejudice Makes LGBT People Die Younger Gets Retracted
Criticism of the study and its retraction got much less attention than the initial findings did, because initial findings supported the 'right' narrative. ☩ James Lopez of The Federalist
How to Build a Go-To (Sunday Mass) Wardrobe
Growing up, I was always scrambling to blow dry my hair while tossing oodles of clothes across my room. . . ☩ Meghan Ashley Styling
Who’s Your Role Model?: 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time, C
☩ John Bergsma, Ph.D., of The Sacred Page
Should Catholic Hospitals Offer Sex-Change Operations?
☩ Trent Horn of Catholic Answers Magazine
St. John Chrysostom Teaches Fundraising
☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net
Married priests will be on agenda for the Amazon synod, theologian says
☩ Elise Harris of Crux
The Dangers of a Hollowed-Out Mercy
☩ Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, O. Carm., of Catholic Stand
A Video About the Pontifical Swiss Guard
☩ Fr. Z's Blog
I Stand With Cardinal Pell
I honestly feel desperately sad for Cardinal George Pell as the news breaks that the 77-year-old will be held at maximum security prison until his March 13 sentencing on five convictions of sexually abusing minors, according to the Guardian. ☩ Mark Lambert of De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.
The “Good-Enough” Life Isn’t Good Enough
Do you want to be great, or just good enough? ☩ John M. Grondelski, Ph.D., of National Catholic Register
Pope Francis has “made a mess of the stewardship entrusted to him”
Even when, as at present, the Catholic Church exercises very little direct political or social power, its continued witness to the world after two millennia retains a compelling grandeur. . . ☩ Robert Royal, Ph.D., of Claremont Review of Books
Catholic Herald: Traditional Latin Mass attendees more devout & orthodox, study Says, Wherein Fr. Z Rants
The demographics of the Church are going to shift dramatically and soon. Younger generations from nominally Catholic families are less and less inclined to self-identity as Catholics. They will, as they older, stop even pretending. Older people will drop away from church attendance. Many dioceses will soon lose large numbers of priests through death and retirement. Church attendance and income will drop. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog
What Is the Odor of Sanctity? The Pleasant Smell of Saintly Death
Throughout history, the smell of roses and other scents have been piously associated with certain saints. Lacking a natural explanation, some saints give off a pleasant odor during life, in death, and even after death – a theological gift called Osmogenesia. ☩ Billy Ryan of uCatholic
The justice system of Victoria & Australia are on trial as well as the Cardinal
Pell from a distance ☩ Fr. James V. Schall, S.J., of The Catholic Thing
“an open attempt to normalize homosexuality among clergy”
The Stakes are Being Raised ☩ Stephen B. White of The Catholic Thing
The Catholic Problem with Ocasio-Cortez’s Children Question
Children should be an answer, not a question. ☩ Katie Yoder of Catholic Vote
Exorcist Sees Dangers of Wicca Firsthand
As any exorcist will attest, we can’t use the devil — the devil uses us. ☩ Patti Maguire Armstrong of National Catholic Register
Keep Sacred Music Sacred
Like a voice calling out from the wilderness, there are times when some of the strongest and wisest words from a bishop arise not out of the cultural centers of the world, like Rome or New York, but rather from unexpected places. ☩ K.E. Colombini of Crisis Magazine
Systematically Exterminating the Disabled
Most of us are here to learn but those with Down syndrome are here to teach. ☩ Joseph Pearce of National Catholic Register
The “evidence of Cardinal Pell’s innocence”
On appeal, a panel of judges can decide that the verdict could not rationally have been reached on the basis of the evidence. ☩ George Weigel of National Review
What's the Difference Between a Nun & a Consecrated Virgin?
☩ Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., of Canon Law Made Easy
Napa Legal Institute Launches to Help Catholic Groups in the ‘Next America’
☩ Lauretta Brown of National Catholic Register
Surprising Blessings
☩ Kat Larson of Ignitum Today
Two More Things To Do This Lent
☩ Sofia Abasolo of Catholic Stand
The Colorado AG Targets the Catholic Church
☩ Francis J. Pierson of Crisis Magazine