Illumined Analysis, Punditry, and News:
Catholics Pray for Speaker’s 5-Year Old Son Now On Life Support, Calling Fulton Sheen – The Reg
Persecuted Convert Warns Vatican: Silence on Islam Driving Europe to Suicide – D. Montagna
End, Don’t Mend, Traditionis Custodes – Kevin Tierney at New Liturgical Movement
Christmastide:
Most Significant Historical Event Ever: The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ – R.L. Kmita, Ph.D.
The Adoration of the Shepherds: Hidden Gem by Hugo van der Goes – Art For The Liturgical Year
St. Francis’ Christmas Message – David Torkington at Catholic Stand Magazine
Let the Light Linger: Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas – A.T. Wallace at The Liturgical Home
The Catholic Meaning of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’: The Secret Code Explained – Church Pop
Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s Message for Christmas – Derek Rotty at Catholic Exchange
Merry, Mary, Christmas – Guy McClung, Ph.D., J.D., at Catholic Stand Magazine
The Catholic Musical Origins of ‘Silent Night’ – Church Pop
The Significance of Shepherds Throughout the History of God – Scott Hahn, Ph.D., at Angelus
The Eight days of Christmas? A Look at the Christmas Octave – Kevin J. Jones via CWR
Give God the Gift of Your Heart This Christmas – Diana Ragsdale at Catholic stand Magazine
Why Do Catholics Celebrate Christmas Mass at Midnight? – Church Pop
Where does the ‘Feast of the 7 Fishes’ Christmas Eve Tradition come from? – Cath World Report
A Sublime Christmas Meditation of Hope – Tradition, Family, & Property
Carving Christmas: The Story Behind the South Carolina Life-Size Nativity – The Reg
Leo XIV Embraces Serene Order’s Reign:
The Closing of the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. . . – Fr. Allan J. McDonald
This is How Pope Leo XIV Celebrated His First Christmas Mass at the Vatican – Rome Reports
Beautiful Papal Midnight Mass! Leo’s Reversal of Francis & a Bombshell – Fr. Allan J. McDonald
Join Pope Leo XIV With His 2026 Prayer Intentions – Cerith Gardiner at Aleteia
Recovery of Papal Protocols & Traditions Just Keep Coming! – Fr. Allan J. McDonald
Pope Leo XIV Revives Tradition During First Christmas of His Pontificate – Catholic World Rep
Note I:
We extend our deepest gratitude for your prayers and generous contributions toward the funeral expenses of my beloved mother. Two days before her passing, a grave family emergency arose on my wife’s side, and with the subsequent loss of my mother, we found ourselves stretched far beyond our financial means. My wife and I are profoundly thankful for your compassionate charity during this Christmastide.
– Robert “Tito” Edwards, Editor-in-Chief
Note II:
In this time of grief, my family and I find ourselves facing certain financial challenges. We are presently seeking assistance to cover some of the costs of her funeral. This remains our most immediate need.
– Robert “Tito” Edwards, Editor-in-Chief
The Liturgical Laments of Detroit, Charlotte, and Tennessee:
Stand or Kneel for Communion? Charlotte Bishop Kicks a Hornets’ Nest – A. Joseph R. Shaw, Ph.D.
‘Everybody’s Had It’: Backlash to Charlotte Bishop’s Ban of Altar Rails, Kneelers – Cath World Rep
Vatican II at 60:
The Mass Psychosis of Vatican II – James R. Green at Grain of Wheat
Tolkien on Vatican II – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic
The Fruit of Vatican II’s Folly:
Notre Dame Cathedral’s New Stained Glass Ignites a New Firestorm – National Catholic Register
O Bishops’ Conclave, What A Jest Thou Art!:
Woke US Bishops (USCCB) Celebrate Fake Holiday Invented by Criminal Marxist – Complic Clergy
General Analysis, Punditry, and News:
The Rest is British Soft Power, Our Most Popular Cultural Export: The Rest Is History – Ed West
The Deceptiveness of Medjugorje – Theresa A. Nixon at Petite Fleur
This is the Hallmark Movie I’ve Always Wanted – Matthew Archbold at Creative Minority Report
Fr. Enoch: Beware the Trojan Horse in the Synodal Church – Tradition, Family, & Property
Video: Leo Goes Full Francis by Denouncing Rigidity in Christmas Message – Anthony Stine, Ph.D.
Seven Great Catholic Planners for an Organized 2026 – Theresa Civantos Barber at Aleteia
Andrea Grillo & the End of His Usefulness – A. Joseph R. Shaw, Ph.D., at First Things
Can’t The West See that Green China is a Façade for Red China? – Gary Isbell at Trad, Fam, & Prop
Poems for the New Year: A Season of Faith, Wonder, & Renewal – Magis Center
Urbi et Orbi: Leo’s Wild Peace – Silere Non Possum
On Time Warps & Missing Feasts: The Puzzling Cycle of Christmas Feast – Msgr. Charles Pope
The Inevitable Descent into Schism, & Madness – Steven O’Reilly at Roma Locuta Est
Virgin Before Birth, During Birth, & After Birth – Robert Lazu Kmita, Ph.D., at Kmita’s Library
Leo Elevates Hicks to N.Y. Archbishop as His Chancellor “Marries” Boyfriend – Hiraeth In Exile
A Christmas Baptism of the Winter Solstice? – Steve Weidenkopf at Catholic Answers Magazine
Archbishop Gänswein Warns of a “Soulless Christmas” – Catholic Conclave
Should Catholics Use AI to Re-Create Deceased Loved Ones? Experts Weigh In – Cath World Rep
Video: Mad True Story on Malachi Martin You Wont Hear Anywhere Else – Anthony Stine, Ph.D.
Bishop Barron Talks With Amy Coney Barrett – Spirit Daily Blog
Europe’s Forgotten Christians: Why the Near East Greek Orthodox Must Be Defended – TEC
News Ticker:
Phoenix Surpasses New York, Chicago to Become Nation’s 2nd-Largest Diocese – Catholic Culture
Pope Leo Issues Apostolic Letter on Priestly Formation, Fraternity, & Synodality – The Reg
Full Text: Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas Eve Homily – Pope Leo XIV via National Catholic Register
News Brief:
Internet Hysteria Stopped – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic
Urban II & Leo XIV Should Have Interesting Conversations on Mixing State & Church – TACath
Spanish: Christmas Broadcast on German Public TV Shows Baby Jesus as Viscous Monster – IV
Liturgical Analysis, Punditry, and News:
Celebrating the Feast of St. John – Ashley Tumlin Wallace at The Liturgical Home
First Principles of Liturgical Realism – Ross Arlen Tieken at El Antiguo
Celebrating the Feast of St. Stephen – Ashley Tumlin Wallace at The Liturgical Home
Liturgical Notes on the Vigil of Christmas – Gregory DiPippo at New Liturgical Movement
Bible Analysis, Punditry, and News:
The Scriptures Jesus Knew: Stepping Into the World of the Dead Sea Scrolls – The Register
Persecution of Christians:
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Edinburgh Was Attacked on Christmas Eve – Catholic Arena on X
Spanish: Investigation of Lourdes Church Fire Day After Christmas – Info Vaticana
Muslims Accused of Torching Christmas Tree at a Church in West Bank – AP via New York Post
Traditionis Custodes:
Cardinal Müller is Right about the Latin Mass – The Catholic Herald
Mater Populi Fidelis:
The Tucho Fernandez Note on Mary is a Grievous Offense Against Our Lady – Rorate Cæli
Catholic (Classical) Liberal Education Analysis, Punditry, and News:
What Happened When My Yale Students Gave Up Their Phones for Four Weeks – Colleen Kinder
Secular and Other Education Analysis, Punditry, and News:
Troubled Logic in the School-Naming Wars – John Hirschauer at City Journal
Books:
Amazon Bestseller for Advent: The Mystical Visions of Caryll Houselander – Zelda Caldwell
Festive Fireside Reading for Christmas – Joseph Pearce at Crisis Magazine
The Lavender Mafia:
Why Do They so Mistreat Our Lord with this Anti-ICE Nativity Scene? – Tradition, Family, & Prop
Brussels & the Faceless Nativity Scene: A Heinous & Symbolic Attack on the Incarnation – TFP
Liturgical References:
Daily Readings: Novus Ordo Mass (U.S.) – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Daily Readings: Novus Ordo Mass (Nigeria) – Nigeria Catholic Network
Daily Readings: Novus Ordo Mass (Canada) – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Daily Readings: Novus Ordo Mass (U.K.) – Alive Publishing
Daily Readings: Novus Ordo Mass (Australia) – Diocese of Parramatta
Daily Readings: Novus Ordo Mass (Ireland) – Church Support Group
Daily Readings: Novus Ordo Mass (New Zealand) – Universalis
Daily Readings: Traditional Latin Mass – Latin Mass Helper
Order of Mass: Novus Ordo – Universalis
Mass Times for Travel – MassTimes.org
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Live – BIG PVLPIT
Find a Relic Anywhere in the World – The Relic Project
Bible References:
Douay-Rheims Bible – Douay-Rheims Bible Online
Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition Bible – EWTN
Haydock Catholic Bible – Haydock Commentary Online
Catholic References:
Ask Me Anything About the Catholic Faith – Catholic Questions
Culture of Death:
How Far Will Experimenting on the Unborn Go? – Wesley J. Smith, Ph.D., at National Review
New York Legalizes Doctors Prescribing Death – Abigail Nichols at The Federalist
Political Analysis, Punditry, and News:
Catholic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Wears Hijab in Solidarity With Somalis – NY Post
Reject the “Nation of Immigrants” Propaganda—It’s Your Civic Duty – The Federalist
Greenpeace’s Bold Move: Fighting Against American Legal Standards in Dutch Courts – TFP
The King’s Speech Hit the Wrong Note – Alexander Larman at The Spectator
9th Circuit Protects Prof’s Amendment Right to Make Fun of Land Acknowledgments – Federalist
Dār al-Islām vs. Christendom:
US Strikes are Freeing Christians from Bondage, Nigerians Say – Catholic Register
Nigerian Christians React to US Bombings of ISIS Targets – N. Chimtom at Catholic World Report
Trump Vows More Strikes on Nigerian Muslims Due to Christian Persecution – Cath World Rep
In Effort to Stem Violence Against Christians, U.S. Conducts Airstrikes on ISIS in Nigeria – CWR
Western Civ Defender. . . Geopolitical Analysis, Punditry, and News:
Greenland Will Eventually be American – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic
Major Signs of Another Coming Dark Age – Victor Davis Hanson
Lest We Forget: The Battle of the Bulge – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic
Cartier & the Lost Crusader Sword – Thomas Smith at The Medievalist
Gentlemen at War – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic
Et Cætera. . . Other Analysis, Punditry, and News:
Remembrance of Predictions Past – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic
A Christmas Miracle in Las Vegas? – Erin Keller via Newsbreak
December 18, 1982: Bliss Begins – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic
The Best Classic Movies & TV to Watch with Your Family this Post-Christmas – The Federalist
Indiscriminate Analysis, Punditry, News, and Anecdotes:
Why the Concept of Zero Matters, According to Neuroscience – Benjy Barnett at Aeon
How to be Catholic: A Step-by-Step Guide – Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register
Need Professional Fundraising Advice? – Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net
Helping You Build a Better Wardrobe – Meghan Ashley Styling, A Catholic Stylist
Follow on X, BIG PVLPIT’s Editor-in-Chief – Robert “Tito” Edwards
Note III:
We are navigating a brief but challenging season financially, yet a sustainable path lies clearly ahead. Your generous support—especially if you’ve been considering a gift—will help carry us faithfully through to Christmas. Come the new year, we will be firmly in the clear. Once that day arrives, this ‘note’ will be replaced with a simple word of gratitude: “We have emerged stronger.” Thank you deeply for your prayers and partnership.
– Robert “Tito” Edwards, Editor-in-Chief
A Thank You To Our Sponsor:
The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property
