Robert Edwards – Page 247

MONDAY EDITION

25 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

Pope Francis, the hidden schism is not really new

The German Bishops’ Conf. latest decision to convoke a local Synod that will lead to binding decisions on sexuality, priestly celibacy & reduction of clerical power was not a surprise. . .the decision shed light once more on a well-known problem: the hidden schism within the Catholic. . . ☩ Andrea Gagliarducci at Monday Vatican

3 Powerful Reasons It Will Take the Laity to Renew the Church in Crisis

It is said that for the Catholic Church to be renewed it will take the laity. ☩ Fr. Bill Peckman at ChurchPOP

In Edmonton, growth puts pressure on Catholic school enrollment

Edmonton’s Catholic schools are at full capacity and may soon have to turn away students, although school district officials are hopeful that new funding from the Alberta government will be announced. ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Catholic Journalist Could Face Prison Time for Using “Wrong Pronoun to Describe Transgender Girl” on Twitter

A Catholic journalist was asked by police to come in for questioning over tweets that allegedly “misgendered” an individual, potentially an offense under the United Kingdom Malicious Communications Act. ☩ uCatholic

Tradition Meets Technology at the New Monastery of the Carmelites of Wyoming

Adherence to tradition needn't mean utter avoidance of modernity & technology & in this particular story we learn of how the Carmelites of Wyoming have learned & utilized technology in a way that is helping bring traditional design & noble materials. . . ☩ Shawn R. Tribe at Liturgical Arts Journal

Science Builds on Faith: STEM Studies Grow From Catholic Roots

☩ Elisabeth Deffner at National Catholic Register

Inspiring Ways Catholics Can Effectively Evangelize

☩ Sim. Rizkallah at ChurchPOP

Your Closet: More Chant Less Chaos

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

Pope Leo XIII Teaches Fundraising

☩ CatholicFundraiser.net

What on earth is a ‘social justice hackathon’?

Michael Novak, an American Catholic political scholar best known for his demonstrations that democratic capitalism & Catholic social teaching are compatible, Catholic scholars from think tanks & educational institutions come from all over to deliver speeches on current social issues & the solutions they have discovered through their work. ☩ Jacob Comello at Catholic News Service via Crux

The Bad Poetry of Modern Hymnody

In an earlier column, I asked why we could not sing hymns from the Christian treasury, which is nearly two thousand years old, and which features composers with names like Bach and Handel and poets from Prudentius to Thomas Aquinas to Isaac Watts, the Wesleys, and John Henry Newman, rather than silly, sloppy, banally sentimental, and often ungrammatical lyrics set to off-off-Broadway show tunes. ☩ Anthony M. Esolen, Ph.D., at Crisis Magazine

The Hypocritical SPLC, the Hateful Hate List People

There’s enough truth in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s famous list of hate groups to hide one huge example of hate: the SPLC’s own. ☩ Tom Gilson at The Stream

In South Carolina, statewide Catholic Bee tests religious knowledge

How well would you do if you had to answer questions about the Catholic faith while standing in front of a room full of people Students faced that challenge recently at the first Diocese of Charleston Catholic Bee in early March at St. Anne School in Rock Hill, which drew 30 Catholic school students in third through eighth grades from four local Catholic schools. ☩ Christina Lee Knauss at Catholic News Service via Crux

Proper Liturgy Needs Doctrinal Truth

Liturgical thought today seems to downplay the importance of doctrine while elevating the significance of practice. The harmony of lex orandi as the criterion of lex credendi is questioned. Dogma and liturgy seem to have parted company. We need to choose which side we are on. . . ☩ Fr. James V. Schall, S.J., at Crisis Magazine

Is Religion Just a Social Construct?

One of the arguments against religion is that it’s a social construction – that is, that religion (particularly, belief in an interventionist or “moralistic” god, meaning a god interested in human affairs and morality) is something invented by society, in order to regulate its citizenry. ☩ Joe Heschmeyer, J.D., at Shameless Popery

Alternative spring break to Mexico opens eyes, hearts of students

☩ Denis Grasska at Catholic News Service via Crux

Catholic Charities works to meet needs of Inland Empire’s poor

☩ Press-Enterprise via California Catholic Daily

The 10 most dangerous countries for Christians

☩ J.P. Mauro at Aleteia

Don’t Get Old In Belgium

☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

Is the Bible without error

☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

MONDAY EDITION Read More »

SVNDAY EDITION

24 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

Pray For Your Priests by Name

Pray for priests, so that each & every one of them will repeatedly say yes to the call he has received. . . --St. John Paul II ☩ Patty Knap at National Catholic Register

The Glorious Music of Heinrich Biber

50 years ago, most music lovers had not heard of Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, 1644-1704. Now he has claimed his place in the canon of great composers. ☩ Michael De Sapio at The Imaginative Conservative

How to Start a Family Rosary

“The family that recites the Rosary together reproduces something of the atmosphere of the household of Nazareth.” —St. John Paul II ☩ Sherry Antonetti at National Catholic Register

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fontanellato, Italy

The church was founded at the beginning of the 16th century, and became particularly famous after a plague in the region in 1630, which hit the town itself very lightly. ☩ Gregory DiPippo at New Liturgical Movement

‘Victoria’ is Refreshingly Pro-Family & Pro-Marriage

What Albert and Victoria have in their marriage is good and beautiful, and even a show made in an amoral society cannot hide that. ☩ Susanna Spencer at National Catholic Register

Temptation is inevitable; sin is not

Lent is an opportunity to do intensively what should be done normally. ☩ Fr. Peter M.J. Stravinskas at The Catholic World Report

Saint Francis de Sales on Aridity in Prayer

☩ Rick Yoder at The Amish Catholic

Seven Religious Talk About the Habits They Wear

☩ Jim Graves at National Catholic Register

Fifteen Catholic Bible Verses You Can Easily Memorize

☩ Becky Roach at Catholic Link

Can We Love Tradition Too Much?

☩ Peter A. Kwasniewski, Ph.D., at New Liturgical Movement

Only for those who possess Latin Monastic Breviaries: Hymns for St. Benedict

In the Liturgia Horarum, you have Legifer prudens for Lauds. This was composed by Dom Anselmo Lentini and published (1954) in the periodical Latinitas. Lentini, a very considerable hymnographer, commented that it fitted the munus sociale of St. Benedict, on account of which he was made principal Patron of all Europe by St. Paul V. . . ☩ Fr. John Hunwicke at Fr Hunwicke's Mutual Enrichment

Special Catholics: Parishioners With Down Syndrome Bless the Church With Their Gifts

How positive people make a difference. ☩ Susan Klemond at National Catholic Register

This prayer before a crucifix reminds us of our role in the crucifixion

As much as we like to avoid it, we played a central role in Jesus' Passion. ☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

The Tremulant in French Classical Organ Music

Ludger Lohmann, notable concert organist and Professor of Organ at the Hochschule in Stuttgart, discusses aspects of organ performance, culture, education, and competitions in Germany with Vox Humana Associate Editor Kirk Rich. ☩ Jonathan Young at Vox Humana

Is the Existence of God Probabilistic?

Is the existence of God probabilistic? It is if human intellectual knowledge is the inference of probability. This essay is intended (1) to acknowledge that yes is the answer of Richard Dawkins. . . ☩ Bob Drury at Catholic Stand

Delighting in the Law

Often we think of the law as something that places limits on our freedom—God’s list of don’ts. But true freedom does not mean we can act however we please without punishment. . . ☩ Erin Cain at Ignitum Today

You Shall Not Take the Name of the Lord, Your God, in Vain

In Exodus 20:7, the Lord God provided a simple commandment: “You shall not invoke the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished anyone who invokes his name in vain.” ☩ Dan Byron at Catholic Stand

5 Habits Of People Who Have A Good Prayer Life

☩ Becky Roach at Catholic Link

Did You Know St. Patrick’s sister is also a saint?

☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

St. Joseph: The Springtime Saint

☩ Masha Goepel at Catholic Stand

Our Gifts Are On Loan

☩ Noel Ethan Tan at Ignitum Today

Reflections on The Mass

☩ Ray Sullivan at Catholic Stand

SVNDAY EDITION Read More »

SATVRDAY EDITION

23 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

UK Denies asylum to Iranian convert to Christianity, saying the religion is not 'peaceful'

The U.K. government agency in charge of immigration has come under fire for denying political asylum to an Iranian convert to Christianity and explaining its decision on its contention that the religion is not peaceful. ☩ Elizabeth Llorente at Fox News

US Bishops: Equality Act Will Hurt More Than Help

Legislation would add anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, but the USCCB expressed concern about threats to freedom and safety. ☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Financial worries? Here’s some powerful Scripture to help allay your fears

When times get tough, the Bible can add a lot of helpful perspective. ☩ Cerith Gardiner at Aleteia

American Pope? Rare, Report from Pope Francis’s election reveals who got votes

A rare, leaked report about a papal election revealed great uncertainty in the 2013 picking of Pope Francis. . .for the first time top spots for an American & a Canadian. ☩ Michelle Boorstein at The Washington Post

Catholic Priest Stabbed During Mass at St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal

Fr. Claude Grou was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance and is in stable condition. ☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Pope accepts the resignation of Chilean cardinal who faces abuse cover-up probe

As was the case with the previous seven Chilean bishops whose resignations Francis accepted in the past year, the Vatican failed to provide an official explanation for Ezzati’s departure ☩ Inés San Martín at Crux

Prayers for Cardinal Pell

☩ Deborah Gyapong at The Anglicanorum Coetibus Society

Your Closet: More Chant Less Chaos

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

Dots to connect: Rise of Anti-Catholic Violence

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Pope Leo XIII Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Doors: Peter Kreeft Points to the Good, True & Beautiful

Book Pick: Doors in the Walls of the World: Signs of Transcendence in the Human Story ☩ Timothy D. Lusch at National Catholic Register

Abortion Kills More Than Babies

Abortion Corrupts the Nature of Women and Men ☩ Jennifer Hartline at The Stream

A Victim of Catholic Clergy Sexual Assault Speaks Out

Commentary: Let us unite in bringing the darkness to light and healing to all. ☩ Krista Keil at National Catholic Register

The Danger of Conflating Sexual Abuse With Abuse of Power

Commentary: The February summit of bishops at the Vatican signaled a turning point in how the Church is framing sexual abuse. ☩ Fr. Raymond J. de Souza at National Catholic Register

San Antonio Calls Chick-Fil-A Store a “Symbol of Hate,” Bans Christian Business From Airport

The persecution of Christian businesses continues. ☩ Steven Ertelt at Life News

Archbishop Chaput to College Students: Following God’s Will Is Answer to Dark Times

‘There’s some good in the world, and it’s worth fighting for,’ he told them, quoting The Lord of the Rings. ☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Here are the only comic adaptations of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth

☩ Philip Kosloski at Excelsior!

Socialism Fails Every Time – A 5-minute Primer

☩ Steve Ray at Defenders of the Catholic Faith

“Dear Fathers, dear seminarians. . .” Wherein Fr. Z rants

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

SATVRDAY EDITION Read More »

FRIDAY EDITION

22 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

Christians Die, Media Mum

. . .The “Middle Belt” is, as you probably guessed, ethnically and religiously diverse. In this part of the country, Christians have been on the receiving end of a campaign that Open Doors calls “religious cleansing,” that is, an attempt “to eradicate Christianity” from the region. . . ☩ John Stonestreet at The Stream

Anti-Christian Britain Vs. Asylum Seeker

One isn’t shocked by this or that outrage from post-Christian Britain. But this, from the government, is not just post-Christian, it is forthrightly anti-Christian. . . ☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

Doctors Said He Was in a “Vegetative State.” Then One Day He Just Woke Up

People who are diagnosed as being in a “vegetative state” (PVS) are often warehoused in institutions. After a period of time a decision is often made to withdraw all treatment including the withdrawal of fluids and food to dehydrate the person to death. ☩ Alex Schadenberg at Life News

Father's Ultimate Sacrifice for Son With Down Syndrome Continues to Save Lives

A research fund set up to honor Thomas S. Vander Woude commemorates the heroic sacrifice he made in 2008. ☩ Peter Jesserer Smith at National Catholic Register

Christian Mom & Journalist Faces Jail Time in Britain for ‘Misgendering’

. . .Unlike my opponents, I’m willing to compromise. I’ll take a half a loaf and like it, as long as it’s not baked from sawdust and crawling with maggots. . . ☩ John Zmirak, Ph.D., The Stream

Cardinal DiNardo discharged, expected full recovery

☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Bearing the Fruit of Repentance: 3rd Sunday of Lent

☩ John Bergsma, Ph.D., at The Sacred Page

Your Closet: More Chant Less Chaos

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

Pope Leo XIII Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

10 Things To Do If Your Lent Plans Fail

What do you do then, when you’ve utterly failed at Lent? Here are ten suggestions to help you to make the most out of your Lenten journey. . . ☩ Shaun McAfee, O.P., at Catholic Exchange

Joseph Was Also Full of Grace

Slowly Understanding Joseph’s Fiat ☩ Susan Skinner at Catholic Stand

Rethinking Baptismal Preparation

The Archdiocese of Paris runs a program for parents expecting a child: “Spiritual Preparation for Parenthood.” I have not been able to obtain a content overview of the program, but it caused me to think about its perspective. We need to enlarge our expectations of this stage in life. ☩ John M. Grondelski, Ph.D., at Crisis Magazine

Catholic Conversions: The Little Rascals

Did you know that not one, but at least two of the Little Rascals have converted to Catholicism? ☩ Scott Smith, J.D., at All Roads Lead To Rome

Intercession of the Saints—Revealed

. . .we considered two rebuttals that some Protestants make against Catholics’ use of Revelation 5:8 in support of the doctrine of the intercession of the saints. And we saw how both don’t work But there are other counter-arguments that a Protestant may spring on you. Let’s look at them here. ☩ Karlo Broussard at Catholic Answers Magazine

Revolutionary War Hero Ethan Allen's Daughter Became a Nun After an Apparition of St. Joseph

Fanny Allen was open to assent to truth when she found mysteries that could not be explained by the oracle of reason alone. Thus she found peace and love. ☩ Stephanie Mann at National Catholic Register

Did You Know? Catholic Blessings for Cheese, Car, Fire, & Many Other “Ordinary” Things

☩ Billy Ryan at uCatholic

Why the Bible Says the Prayers of Holy People Are More Powerful

☩ Dave Armstrong at National Catholic Register

“Follow Me”

☩ Kat Larson at Ignitum Today

Deposition of Relics for an Upcoming Church Dedication

☩ Gregory DiPippo at New Liturgical Movement

FRIDAY EDITION Read More »

THVRSDAY EDITION

21 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

A New Kind of Pornography Addiction for Teens

Bill and Sandy came to my office with their son Kevin, age 15. Kevin was addicted to Internet pornography. He had been viewing it daily on his smartphone for over four years. . . ☩ Peter Kleponis, Ph.D., at Those Catholic Men

The Cardinal Pell Case Reminds the World Why Cardinals Wear Red

“This is what the red color of their habits means: the color of blood and love.” —Pope Benedict XVI ☩ Fr. Roger Landry at National Catholic Register

Pope Francis’ Appointments: A Key Measure of His Pontificate

The Holy Father’s choices have been much less impactful than the diverse range of Church luminaries St. John Paul II appointed early in his own papacy. ☩ Fr. Raymond J. de Souza at National Catholic Register

On the question of a heretical pope

The issue of how to handle a heretical pope, in concrete terms, has not yet been treated in a manner which approaches anything like a true general consent in the entire Catholic tradition. ☩ Bishop Athanasius Schneider at Rorate Cæli

Amid Continued Midwest Flooding, Catholic Groups Step Up to Help

Catholic Charities and other entities are lending a hand in Nebraska and elsewhere. ☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

What Does the Church Teach? – Off the Shelf 116 with Jimmy Akin

We are constantly inundated with what people Think the Church teaches but do we really know what the Church Actually teaches? ☩ Pete Socks at Catholic Stand

A tale of two Georges

☩ George Weigel at The Catholic World Report

Pope Leo XIII Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

The Decadence Of Godfried Danneels

☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

Francis’ Triduum Schedule: strange lacuna

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Prostituted People are the Walking Dead: So Why Does Amnesty International Advocate for the Sex Industry?

Few public policy issues have been as quickly and as universally acknowledged as the criminal phenomenon of human trafficking. . . ☩ Eleanor K. Gaetan, Ph.D., at Humanum

Mixed Reviews for History Channel's New Lenten Series ‘Jesus: His Life’

Couldn't a Lenten series just tell the story, without calling Bible passages into question? ☩ Kathy Schiffer at National Catholic Register

Video: Toxic Feminism and its Antidote—Dr. Carrie Gress

Carrie Gress is onto something extremely important. We all talk about the anti-Christ, and toxic masculinity, but what about the anti-Mary and toxic femininity? Isn’t our culture marinating in both? Isn’t this a problem hiding in plain sight? ☩ The Patrick Coffin Show

The Economics & Ethics of “Just Wages” According to Catholic Teaching

As with the concept of the just price, the idea of the just wage combines the subjectivity of the diverse needs and preferences of individuals with the objective demands of justice. The teaching of the Catholic Church on the just wage avoids both the Scylla of economism and the Charybdis of moralism. ☩ Kishore Jayabalan at Public Discourse

Cardinal Barbarin Remains Archbishop, Takes Leave of Absence

Vatican says Francis has not accepted the French cardinal’s resignation, though the prelate has stepped back from the day-to-day leadership of his archdiocese. ☩ Hannah Brockhaus at Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Pro-Lifers Were Belittled for Opposing Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Now Adult Stem Cells the ‘Gold Standard’

During the Great Embryonic Stem Cell Debate, circa 2001-08, I watched “scientists” lie about the low potential for adult stem cells & the cures that were just around the corner from embryonic stem cells. ☩ Wesley J. Smith, J.D., at Life News

There Are No Such Thing As Gays (Or Trannies)

. . .This brings us to the point of asking what sexual intercourse is for. . . ☩ William M. Briggs, Ph.D., at Statistician to the Stars!

Catholicism & Mindfulness: Compatible Practices Or Contrary Spiritualities?

☩ Claire Dwyer at Catholic Spiritual Direction

Moses & a Bible ‘Controversy’

☩ Jimmy Akin at Catholic Answers Magazine

A promising humanities program at Clemson puts the emphasis on the great works of the Western tradition

☩ Mark Bauerlein at City Journal

St. Joseph’s Apparition in the United States

☩ Joseph Pronechen at National Catholic Register

THVRSDAY EDITION Read More »

TVESDAY EDITION

19 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

Bishop’s phone porn didn’t involve minors, but questions remain on move to Vatican

When Pope Francis decided in 2017 to bring an Argentine bishop to Rome and give him a job in the Vatican, the prelate had been accused of “strange behavior” but not of criminal sexual conduct, Crux has learned. ☩ Inés San Martín at Crux

Critics question ‘Equality Act’ exclusion of religious freedom

Federal legislation purporting to guarantee equality explicitly rejects religious freedom protections and would open the gates to anti-discrimination lawsuits against religious believers and institutions who disagree with the bill’s broad view of LGBT discrimination, critics said. ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

‘Son, Give Me Thy Heart’ — the Extraordinary Life of an Irish-Catholic Priest

Father Seamus O’Kielty passed away as Christendom College’s assistant chaplain, revealing a legacy of faithfully following Jesus Christ in the spirit of old Ireland’s Catholic missionaries. ☩ Peter Jesserer Smith at National Catholic Register

Vatican diplomat accused of corruption & ‘romantic’ relationship while at UN

Archbishop Francis Chullikatt is alleged to have maintained an inappropriate relationship with a woman during his time as the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations. ☩ J.D. Flynn, J.C.L., & Ed Condon, J.C.L., at Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Who were St. Joseph’s parents?

The parents of the foster father of Jesus raised a "just man," who would guard the Savior of the world. ☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

There’s Room In The Democrat 2020 Field For A Pro-Life Candidate

About half of Americans are opposed to abortion, and more are disgusted by late-term and partial-birth abortions. Democrats should stop running radicals if they are serious about winning. ☩ Charles C. Camosy at The Federalist

Sunday best, casual Friday, & ties

☩ John Grondelski, Ph.D., at National Catholic Register

Zanchetta affair exposes a culture of fear, indifference

☩ Christopher R. Altieri at The Catholic World Report

Study: Cohabiting Relationships Are Less Stable Than Marriage

☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Exposing the Anti-Mary: An Interview with Carrie Gress

☩ Shane Kepler at Catholic Exchange

A Rock & Roll Journalist Opens Her Ears to God

“I don’t believe that my experience on October 22, 1999, is going to convert anyone,” says Dawn Eden Goldstein about a key event along her journey to the Catholic Church, “But it converted me, and that’s what matters.” ☩ Christopher S. Morrissey at The Catholic World Report

What We Saw in the New Zealand Mosque Murders? The New Paganism

These killers, the kind of people who shoot up and bomb mosques, hate Christianity as much as they hate Islam. ☩ Peter Wolfgang at The Stream

Book Review: ‘Golden State’ Depicts A World When Telling The Truth Becomes A Crime

Ben H. Winters' detective novel 'Golden State' tells of a dystopian future where honesty is rigorously policed, and succeeds as thought-provoking entertainment. ☩ Clay Waters at The Federalist

Pursuing Beauty Must Be an Intentional Choice

Have you ever watched a sunset and felt something deep in your soul stir to life? This feeling has many names; poets call it nostalgia, theologians call it longing. It comes from an encounter with Beauty and it shakes us to our core. ☩ Haley Stewart at Carrots for Michaelmas

Should Christian Ministries Use Liberal Social Media Platforms to Get Their Message out?

It would be one thing if we sold our souls to these platforms, compromising our message to maintain our good standing. . . . ☩ Michael Brown, Ph.D., at The Stream

‘Leaving Neverland’ & the new sexual morality

What does the unmasking of Michael Jackson actually change? ☩ Carolyn Moynihan at Mercatornet

There’s nothing new about anti-Catholic bigotry

☩ Joanna Bogle at The Catholic World Report

California Threatens the Seal of Confession

☩ Charlotte Allen at First Things

There Are Now 122 Papal Electors

☩ The Eponymous Flower

The Silencing of Christians

☩ Michael Brown, Ph.D., at The Stream

TVESDAY EDITION Read More »

MONDAY EDITION

18 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

Maltese Catholics Criticize Archbishop Scicluna’s Leadership on ‘LGBT’ Issues

Critics blame the archbishop for his repesentative's priest’s remarks on a local television show that homosexuality was created by God, and was ‘part of his plan.’ ☩ Edward Pentin at National Catholic Register

Ed Feser on Mark Shea

Mark Shea is what you get when you marry the letter of Catholicism to the spirit and style of New Atheist polemic. ☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic

The Communion Rail & Complementarity

The traditional Communion rail has functional and sacramental purposes. . . ☩ Fr. Jerry J. Pokorsky at The Catholic Thing

Cardinal Barbarin’s Sexual Abuse Cover-Up Conviction Raises Thorny Questions

An overview of the legal stakes of Cardinal Barbarin’s criminal conviction, just ahead of his audience with Pope Francis. ☩ Solène Tadié at National Catholic Register

‘Eroticising’ Children: What We Can Learn From Muslim Parents Successfully Battling This in Britain

The following is not a hypothetical scenario. Your four-year old daughter comes home from school and says, “I can wear my brother’s clothes and he can wear mine. I can change my name to a boy’s name.” ☩ John Stonestreet at The Stream

Pope Francis shows no regret over the shocking appointment of Cardinal Daneels

Was Pope Francis sending a subtle message to his critics this week? ☩ Philip Lawler at Catholic Culture

Quæritur: How can eating desserts during Lent be fasting? Would Jesus eat desserts?

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Yes, They Really Are Coming For Your Kids

☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

Pope Leo XIII Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

Bishop Athanasius Schneider: Brazilians Do Not Want Married Clergy

☩ The Eponymous Flower

How to spot a good preacher

I picked this up from a tweet by a classicist. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Archbishop Scicluna: Herald of the New Gospel

At the outset of this Papacy many Catholics, including myself, held the Archbishop of Malta, Charles Scicluna in great esteem. . . ☩ Mark Lambert at De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Australian Media "made Pell personify the sins of the Church"

For those who consider Cardinal Pell guilty as sentenced and wonder why some Catholics (quite a lot of Catholics) are sticking up for a convicted child abuser, it might be worth watching this report. ☩ Mark Lambert at De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

What will happen to the planet at the end of the world?

We can expect an end-of-time house cleaning. ☩ Fr. Patrick Briscoe, O.P., at Aleteia

Wake Up Parents! There is a Contagion Spreading Among Children

The media glamorizes transgenderism, and some in the medical establishment are taking advantage. ☩ Marcia Segelstein at National Catholic Register

Audio: Damian Thompson on boring bishops via @HolySmoke

Are you tired of torpor-inducing cliches from the pulpit? ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Cardinal George Pell: A Timeline

A chronological list of key events in the life of the Australian cardinal, including details of his financial reforms as well as abuse allegations, charges and eventual conviction. ☩ Edward Pentin at National Catholic Register

Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series to be set in the Second Age

☩ Harley J. Sims at Mercatornet

A “binding” German synod. . . What could possibly go wrong

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Christian symbols enter France’s ‘Yellow Vest’ demonstrations

☩ Wilco Versteeg at Katholiek Nieuwsblad for Crux

Pedophile Story Hour In Houston

☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

MONDAY EDITION Read More »

SVNDAY EDITION

17 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

Cardinal DiNardo hospitalized after suffering ‘mild stroke’

Cardinal DiNardo was taken to a Houston hospital last night [Friday, 15 March] after experiencing the symptoms of what tests today have confirmed was a mild stroke. ☩ Rocco Palmo at Whispers in the Loggia

Padre Pio’s prayer for when you’re in a tough situation

I don’t want to escape from it. Give me the strength to fight. ☩ Kathleen N. Hattrup at Aleteia

What the Eucharist Tells Us About Free Will; What Free Will Tells Us About the Eucharist

The transformational power of God cannot transform if we do not freely consent to who he is and live each second as if what we do matters in opening the door to his love and purpose for us. ☩ James F. Schroeder at National Catholic Register

Faith, Works, & the Deep Waters of Evangelization

The command to go deeper in the quest for a sufficient catch of fish, after working at it all night, must have seemed counter-productive to Simon Peter and his fellow fishermen. . . ☩ Deacon Greg Lambert at Catholic Stand

Pray this Psalm to make your confession more heartfelt

Use this Psalm as an emotional prayer while you are waiting in line.. ☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

The Game-Changing Secret To Learning To Love Our Enemies

☩ uCatholic

Making a Gift of Ourselves

☩ Sabrina Vu at Catholic Stand

The Secret To Permanent Focus On God

☩ Matthew Leonard at Catholic Spiritual Direction

Understand the Means for Attaining Spiritual Perfection

☩ Lorenzo Scupoli at Catholic Exchange

A short prayer to your Guardian Angel for daily protection

An alternative prayer that invokes the protection of your Guardian Angel. ☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

Meet Venerable Conchita: Mystic, Messenger to Priests, & Spiritual Mother

Concepcion Cabrera de Armida (Conchita) (A.D. 1862-1937), born in Mexico, into a pious Catholic family, was a married woman, mother of 9 children, foundress of the 5 Works of the Cross & a great mystic of the Mexican Church. ☩ Kathleen Beckman at Catholic Exchange

The Spiritual Housecleaning of Lent

The Messes We Make ☩ Mark C. McCann at Catholic Stand

The Glory of the Transfigured Crucified

As far back as our liturgical sources take us, we find the Church beginning Lent with the Gospels of Jesus’ Temptation in the desert and his Transfiguration on the mountain ☩ Fr. Robert P. Imbelli at The Catholic Thing

St. John Bosco’s prayer to the Virgin Mary against demonic spirits

Mary, "you are terrifying as an army in battle array." ☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

Get Your Spouse to Heaven! 5 Great Tips for Growing Holier as a Catholic Couple This Lent

. . .some practical exercises that could provide you and your spouse with the endless, life-giving water the Lord offers. ☩ ChurchPOP

Become a model of Catholic Character – Off the Shelf 115 with Mark McCann

☩ Pete Socks at Catholic Stand

Moses, Elijah, and Jesus: Why are they all together at the Transfiguration?

☩ Daniel Esparza at Aleteia

Lent— A Desert Experience Searching for God

☩ Pamela Mandela at Catholic Stand

SVNDAY EDITION Read More »

SATVRDAY EDITION

16 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

3 Keys to Raising Your Child’s Interest in Learning

Adopt Psychologist Carl Rogers’ three virtues for teachers to help raise your child’s Interest in learning and become a more effective homeschooling parent. ☩ Nick Marmalejo at Seton Magazine

How We Redefine the Good to Justify Our Sins

The human being has a free will to choose good or evil. . . ☩ Fr. George W. Rutler, Th.D., at Catholic Exchange

What Was St. Patrick’s Real Name? The Fascinating History Behind Ireland’s Patron Saint

St. Patrick’s birth name was actually Maewyn Succat. He wasn’t even really Irish–he was Roman-British! ☩ ChurchPOP

The Ambitious Life & Conflicted Legacy of Notre Dame’s Fr. Ted Hesburgh

In 2008, Fr. Hesburgh said, “I have no problem with females or married people as priests, but I realize that the majority of the leadership in the Church would.” ☩ Paul V. Mankowski at First Things

A Time for Silence

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise & restlessness. . . ☩ Barbara Padolina at Catholic Stand

The Ancient Tradition of Penance

☩ Catholic Answers Magazine

Inspired By St. Patrick: How To Wear Green

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

How The First Sunday of Lent Inspired The Piñata

☩ Ryan Scheel at uCatholic

Empty Spaces of a Church

☩ Brother Maximilian Maria Jaskowak, O.P., at Catholic Exchange

8 Reasons to Sing the Proper Chants of the Mass

It’s true that our worship adds nothing to God; he does not need it. Even so, God commands us to worship him. . . ☩ Fr. Martin Fox at Bonfire of the Vanities

Revisiting Samuel Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations”

A decade after his death, we are living in the world that Samuel Huntington foretold. . . ☩ Daniel McCarthy at The Imaginative Conservative

What's the Difference Between a Cathedral Rector & a Parish Priest?

Who is in charge of a Cathedral Parish? The Bishop or a Priest? ☩ Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., at Canon Law Made Easy

Why Is It Called The Roman Catholic Church?

The term “Roman” to describe the universal Catholic Church is a fairly recent phenomenon. . . ☩ Will Wright at Catholic Link

The French Classical Organ at Montreal

In no era of the organ’s vast history is an instrument so wedded to its music than that of the French Baroque. . . ☩ Nicholas Capozzoli at Vox Humana

The book no socialist dares to read

For many years Western writers, academics, and intellectuals have made their pilgrimage to paradise ☩ Paul T. Hogan at Mercatornet

The painting that sparked a devotion to “Mary, Undoer of Knots” was about a divorce that didn’t happen

☩ Zelda Caldwell at Aleteia

Amazon’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ TV Series: Here’s everything we know

☩ Philip Kosloski at Excelsior!

American College of the Building Arts, the Only 4-Year School Dedicated to Traditional Trades

☩ Logan Ward at Garden & Gun

The Art of Handwriting and Why It Makes Us Smarter

☩ Ashlyn Thomas at Seton Magazine

SATVRDAY EDITION Read More »

FRIDAY EDITION

15 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

We Can’t Do it Ourselves: Growing in Holiness During Lent

One of the most significant lessons He teaches us through fasting and prayer is how to turn to Him with ever greater trust. ☩ Constance T. Hull at Catholic Exchange

Amazon’s Anti-Christian, Pro-Muslim & Nazi-Neutral Policies

On March 13, Rev. William Owens, President of the Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP), demanded that Amazon enforce its own policies regarding “offensive and controversial materials” when it comes to anti-Christian products. . . ☩ John Zmirak, Ph.D., at The Stream

Cardinal Godfried Danneels Dies at 85

The archbishop emeritus of Mechelen-Brussels was a controversial ‘reformer’ who jokingly admitted to being part of a ‘mafia’ club that tried to prevent Benedict XVI’s election in 2005. ☩ Edward Pentin at National Catholic Register

The Stational Liturgies of the Roman Church

The term "station" was used in different senses in earlier times. Some early Christian references speak of "station" in the sense of keeping a fast. . .Many liturgical writers will point to "station" as a military term, noting how it was adopted into a Christian application. ☩ Shawn R. Tribe at Liturgical Arts Journal

The recent Sino-Vatican Accord was a surrender

Strange but true. . . ☩ David Warren at Essays in Idleness

Ladies & Gentlemen, the Church in Germany, In All Her Glorious Calamity

Germany seems to be the caput malorum omnium in the Church today. Every weird, heretical, and just plain stupid thing comes from that dark swamp of arrogant confusion. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Did You Know? Japanese Tempura Shrimp Is Actually a Catholic Lenten Creation

☩ Billy Ryan at uCatholic

Board members say Chicago seminary closure lacks transparency

☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Pope Leo XIII Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

Inspired By St. Patrick: How To Wear Green

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

A Litany for Couples Praying to Conceive

. . .the Milk Grotto has taken on a special reputation as a place of prayer for couples praying to conceive. ☩ Fr. Edward Looney at Catholic Exchange

Living in a Time of Mass Insanity

When I was a boy and reading about the French Revolution I thought to myself what a terrible thing it would be to live in a time when so many people took leave of their senses. Little did I know what the future had in store for me. . . ☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic

Is It Intolerant to Share the Faith?

Recently, an evangelical Christian polling firm released a study on Christian views of evangelization. . . ☩ Eric Sammons at Catholic Answers Magazine

Our Baptismal Call to Holiness & Becoming A Saint

Lent is a time of prayer, penance, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. But another event for which we prepare is the renewal of our baptismal promises at Easter ☩ Allison Low at Catholic Stand

What in the World Is a “Worship Space”?

Euphemisms are de rigeur for revolutionaries. Commie states call themselves “people’s republics.” When they instigate conflicts, they are “wars of liberation”. . . ☩ Fr. John A. Perricone, Ph.D., at Crisis Magazine

South by Southwest (SXSW) Leads East of Eden

Like Adam and Eve, we have to be careful not to fall into the trap of wanting to become like gods when we are but men. ☩ K.V. Turley at National Catholic Register

The continuing child problem in China

Will the state start to coerce births? ☩ Marcus Roberts at Mercatornet

School Choice Program Reduces Young Adult Crime, Study Shows

☩ Joshua Nelson at The Stream

Introducing Excelsior! A blog about Comics, Sci-Fi, Fantasy & the Catholic Faith

☩ Philip Kosloski at Excelsior!

Darned Either Way

☩ One Mad Mom

A Woman For All Seasons: St. Frances Of Rome

☩ Claire Dwyer at Catholic Exchange

FRIDAY EDITION Read More »

THVRSDAY EDITION

14 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify ►Updated!

Few abuse scandals involve Francis as directly as that of an Argentine bishop

Though Pope Francis has faced questions and even criticism for his overall handling of the clerical sexual abuse scandals in Catholicism, few cases touch the pontiff quite as directly as that of Argentine Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta, who was brought to Rome at the pope’s personal initiative and who now stands accused of abuse. ☩ Inés San Martín at Crux

What’s next for Cardinal Pell?

Although the Vatican has announced that a canonical process will examine the charges against Pell, writes Ed Condon, those looking to McCarrick’s case as an example are likely to find it a false comparison. ☩ Ed Condon, J.C.L., at Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

This Man Will Drink Only Beer For Lent – Here’s the Little-Known Story Behind This Ancient Fast

Del Hall, an army veteran from Ohio, is fasting on only beer for all 46 days of the Lenten season. That’s right–he will not consume any sold food for the entirety of lent! ☩ ChurchPOP

How Aquinas & a Jesuit Priest Are Responsible for Creating Hypertext

Father Roberto Busa was a Jesuit priest who pioneered the usage of computers for linguistic & literary analysis. . . ☩ Billy Ryan at uCatholic

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-game-is-up-on-synod-and-communion.html

The Holy See & Cardinal Pell

Why did the Vatican, the day after the conviction was announced publicly, reiterate the mantra that has become habitual in Vatican commentary on the Pell case? ☩ George Weigel at The Catholic World Report

Cultural Assimilation Has Corrupted the Church in America

The New York state legislature passed the most regressive anti-life law in history. Its governor, Andrew Cuomo, a self-proclaimed Catholic, supported & shepherded the legislation & gleefully proclaimed its enactment. . . ☩ Jason Surmiller, Ph.D., at Crisis Magazine

Vatican Spokesmen: Pope Francis’ Seventh Year Will Be ‘Synodal’

The Holy Father spent the sixth anniversary of his election as the 265th successor of St. Peter on a weeklong Lenten retreat. ☩ Courtney Grogan at CNA via National Catholic Register

Why ‘Free College’ Will Do Little to Help Poorer Americans

A large portion of the beneficiaries of free college will be relatively affluent middle-class individuals. ☩ Richard Vedder at The Stream

UK archaeologists believe they’ve found the monastery of a key figure in the spread of Christianity

Excavation yields clues to location of religious site founded by a pagan princess turned Christian. ☩ John Burger at Aleteia

A Pastoral Approach to Evangelizing Culture

☩ Steven Jonathan Rummelsburg at Catholic Exchange

A father’s rights sacrificed on the transgender altar

☩ Campbell Campbell-Jack at Mercatornet

Benedict XVI’s key to a fruitful Lent

☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

Television Dramas & Lust

☩ Jim Dougherty at Catholic Stand

Dear David Frum: U.S. Population Growth Is Not A Problem, It’s A Solution

☩ Lyman Stone at The Federalist

Tantum potes quantum aude—On founding a new monastery

We are confident that even in the modern world there are those who, as of old, will see the value of endowing a monastic foundation, and indeed who will respond to our appeal. ☩ Dom Alcuin Reid at The Catholic World Report

YouTube Demonetized My Christian Channel & You Won’t Believe Why

Gabby explained that she posted the Bible verses to help others. “Seeing that there [were] people in my school that needed help. They don’t need to be living in the confusion of wondering if they should be gay, bi, lesbian, trans — anything like that. ☩ Michael Brown, Ph.D., at The Stream

What does climate change mean for having children, Nothing

What amateur logicians call "guilt by association" might be bad logic, but it is an excellent rhetorical strategy. . . ☩ Matthew Walther at The Week

The men of Oberammergau have begun a “fast” that will last over a year

According to centuries-old tradition, this sacrifice is vital for the success of the Passion Play in 2020. ☩ John Burger at Aleteia

Politicizing Pediatrics: How the AAP’s Transgender Guidelines Undermine Trust in Medical Authority

The five-year-old boy who transitions to identify as a girl has taken a major step on a road that may lead to treatment with cross-sex hormones, castration, & infertility. . . ☩ Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., at Public Discourse

Cardinal Pell Trial Observer Calls Guilty Verdict ‘Incomprehensible’

A witness to both of Cardinal George Pell’s trials says the prefect emeritus of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy is a victim of ‘trial by media’ & the guilty verdict is ‘utterly unfair.’ ☩ Edward Pentin at National Catholic Register

Baton Rouge Catholic Charities expands international adoption services

☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

In Texas, an innovative charter school network is getting stellar results with at-risk kids

☩ Shepard Barbash at City Journal

8 Amazing Facts About the Greatest Welsh Saint

☩ Melissa Guerrero at epicPew

Napa Legal Institute Helps Catholic nonprofits flourish

☩ Jim Graves at The Catholic World Report

THVRSDAY EDITION Read More »

VVEDNESDAY EDITION

13 March AD 2019

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩ Team Catholify

Cardinal Pell Sentenced to Six Years Imprisonment for Sexual Abuse

Chief Judge Peter Kidd handed down the sentence March 13 from the Victoria County Court in Melbourne, Australia. ☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

What Makes the Christian Worldview Different from the Rest

One cannot live without developing opinions about the nature of reality, so every well-defined culture and faith naturally introduces its members to a way of seeing the world. . . ☩ Fr. James V. Schall, S.J., at Crisis Magazine

Laity Mobilize to End the Sex-Abuse Crisis and Reform the Church

Throughout the Church’s history, the laity have proved essential to the reform of the clergy, and the present crisis is no exception. ☩ Peter Jesserer Smith at National Catholic Register

Tongue-tied bishops—is it fear of retribution?

John Allen of Crux does his best to be balanced, but he can only do so much. . . ☩ Phillip Lawler at Catholic Culture

“Virgin & Laughing Child” is unveiled as Leonardo da Vinci’s only surviving sculpture

The great master was said to have created it around 1472, when he was 19 or 20. ☩ Zelda Caldwell at Aleteia

A Pastoral Guide to Receiving Communion

☩ Fr. Jerry J. Pokorsky at Crisis Magazine

Transgender Activist Desecrates Virgin Mary Statue During Rosary Rally (Video Inside)

☩ ChurchPOP

How did Cain find a wife?

☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

The Trend of "Doing-Good" Instead of Fasting for Lent, Here's Why It's Wrong

☩ Fr. Carlos Martins at Catholic Answers Magazine

Jesus’ Proven Method For Conquering Temptation

In the gospel from the Mass today, Luke 4:1-13, we hear about Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit, being led into the wilderness for 40 days, and then being tempted by the devil. . . ☩ uCatholic

I Was America’s First ‘Nonbinary’ Person, It Was All a Sham

Four years ago, I wrote about my decision to live as a woman in The New York Times, writing that I had wanted to live “authentically as the woman that I have always been,” and had “effectively traded my white male privilege to become one of America’s most hated minorities.” ☩ Jamie Shupe at The Stream