Robert Edwards

Living a Catholic life.

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☩​ Team Catholify

Bishops Bransfield, Bennett restricted from exercising ministry

The restrictions against Bishop Bransfield are the result of a monthslong preliminary investigation conducted by Archbishop Lori into allegations of sexual harassment & misconduct, as well as financial improprieties. ☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

An Encyclical on Homosexuality?

Apart from the grace of God, our most urgent need at the moment is a papal encyclical on homosexuality. Failing that, the American Catholic bishops should issue a collective pastoral letter on homosexuality. And failing that, individual American bishops should issue diocesan pastoral letters on homo ☩ David Carlin of The Catholic Thing

What was Lent like in the early Church?

Lent as we know it today took many centuries to develop. ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

Influential German Activist Predicts ‘More Married Priests’ Soon

Critics are concerned that October’s Amazon synod may effectively overturn the tradition of clerical celibacy in the Latin Rite ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

Hitting the Nail on the Head this Lent

One thing that has come to me for my main Lenten practice this year is frequent praying of the Stations of the Cross. ☩ Sister Christina M. Neumann of Catholic Stand

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

After the Cardinals Pell & Barbarin Verdicts; Church Under Siege, Stunned

Both Pell and Barbarin have been found guilty on the basis of questionable proofs, both in a second trial after the first had ended without a guilty verdict ☩ Sandro Magister of Settimo Cielo via L'Espresso

10-Step Process for Teaching Liturgical Arts in the Family

☩ J.P. Sonnen of Liturgical Arts Journal

800-Year-Old French Basilica of St. Denis Heavily Vandalized in No-Go Suburbs, 19th Century Stained Glass Windows Destroyed

☩ Jim Hoft of Gateway Pundit

Gustavo Zanchetta, the naked selfie bishop, on retreat with Pope Francis

☩ Mark Lambert of De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

The Price of Catholic Unity in Communist China

☩ Mary Spencer of National Review

St. Catherine of Siena on Perennial Principles for Our Attitudes towards Priests

What does the Doctor Diagnose? Listening to the Church Doctor ☩ Sister Mary Catherine Blanding, I.H.M., of Homiletic & Pastoral Review

An agenda for the soft despotism of same-sex marriage in Australia

Activists have a long shopping list of urgently needed changes in Australian society ☩ Michael Cook of Mercatornet

Why a Liberal Society May Favor One Religion Over Others

Mild & Equitable Establishments ☩ Richard W. Garnett, J.D., of First Things

The Church Cannot Be Silent About The "Orientation" Toward Homosexuality

During the Vatican Summit on the Church’s clergy sexual abuse crisis Archbishop Charles Scicluna, who was one of the Vatican’s main spokesmen at the Summit, was asked by the media if the Summit would deal with homosexuality as a possible problem behind the sexual abuse crisis. The archbishop responded that homosexuality and heterosexuality are “human conditions,” adding, “they are not something that predisposes to sin.” The Archbishop appears to be saying that sexual orientation is neutral or that homosexual orientation is equal to heterosexual orientation in that neither pushes or leads one into sin. ☩ Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M. Cap.

African Pro-Life Leader Exposes How America & Western Nations are Pushing Abortion on Africa

Tracing foreign aid money ☩ Life News

The Secrets of the Demonic: How This Vatican Exorcist Experiences the Spiritual Realm

The Atlantic recently published a mini-documentary about Vatican exorcist Fr. Raffaele Talmelli. ☩ ChurchPOP

Investigating former cardinal, Theodore McCarrick, living in seclusion in rural Kansas

☩ Fox News

Matthew 7:7 – The Lenten Appeal Blueprint

☩ Brice Sokolowski of CatholicFundraiser.net

Fashion “rules” we’re all ready to break

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

The Future of Marriage with Mark Regnerus, Ph.D.

☩ Mark Bauerlein of First Things

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☩​ Team Catholify

Beating The Cultural Revolution

The Rousseauistic view of human nature on which utopian socialism rested was severely challenged by Dostoevsky’s experience of prison in Siberia. . . ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Kansas archdiocese responds after denying school admission to a child of a same-sex couple

A K-8 Catholic school in Kansas is defending its decision to deny admission to a kindergarten student who is the child of a same-sex couple, citing archdiocesan admissions policies. ☩ Catholic News Agency of The Catholic World Report

Why We Need to Design (and Pay for) Beautiful Churches

I notice the younger priests and bishops, probably 60 years and under but also some older priests and bishops, have grown up with churches built in the 1960s and remodeled in the 1980s. And I think there’s now a general appreciation for some things that were ignored for decades, including a greater emphasis on the Eucharist, resulting in a stronger desire for beauty in the sanctuary and especially the tabernacle. We didn’t see that as much 25 years ago. ☩ Fr. Sean Salai of America Magazine

Cardinals spar in responses to Vatican-China deal

“One wonders,” said Cardinal Joseph Zen in response to comments by Cardinal Fernando Filoni and a Chinese-appointed bishop in support of the Vatican-China deal, “from which planet did our leaders in Rome descend?” ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Mass & Triumphalism; Wherein Fr. Z Rants

I’m not saying that this is the great “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians 2. I’m also not saying that it is isn’t. . . ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Lent With Saint Francis

☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., of The American Catholic

This 'Devilish' Drag Prostitute Claims to Be a 'Catholic Priest,' But That's Not the Whole Story

☩ Megan Fox of PJ Media

Does the Bible Contain Errors, or is it Inerrant?

☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

Matthew 7:7 – The Lenten Appeal Blueprint

☩ Brice Sokolowski of CatholicFundraiser.net

God's [Permissive] Will

How clever of the Kazakhstan Episcopal Conference to use their ad limina to secure clarity from PF with regard to certain dubia which were troubling their minds. Especially about his recent statement that Religious Diversity is God's Will. ☩ Fr John Hunwicke of Mutual Enrichment

Killing Socrates: The Death of a Great Books Program

Few people know that in the early 1970s a “great books” program, founded by John Senior and two other professors, flourished at a large state university in the midwest. Even fewer know of its slow demise. ☩ Robert K. Carlson, Ph.D., of The Imaginative Conservative

What are the 'proper chants' for Mass & why should we use them?

Suppose I told you that there are prayers which the Church intends to be included with Mass, but we never pray them? You are never given access to them. They have been left unused for a long time. Would that not seem odd? Wouldn’t you be curious? Wonder why we never pray them? Wouldn’t you want to know more about this? ☩ Fr. Martin Fox of Bonfire of the Vanities

Tidying up is not joyful but another misuse of Eastern ideas

Americans are suckers for ideas with quasi-mystical ‘Oriental’ aura☩ Amy Olderding of Mercatornet

I Am Not A Fervent Admirer of Pope Pius XII For These Three Reasons

(1) He initiated the concept of deeply radical 'revision' and transformation of the Liturgy, which ended up we-know-where; &. . . ☩ Fr John Hunwicke of Mutual Enrichment

Adultery & Homosexuality, The Two Vanished Words

It is a fact, not an opinion. The words “adultery” and “homosexuality” have both disappeared from the magisterium of the Church, the highest, that which reports to the Roman pontiff. ☩ Sandro Magister of Settimo Cielo via L'Espresso

The Stigma of Choosing Trade School Over College

When college is held up as the one true path to success, parents—especially highly educated ones—might worry when their children opt for vocational school instead. ☩ Meg St-Esprit of The Atlantic

The World Really Is Getting Richer as Poor Countries Catch Up

Arguments that extreme poverty is on the rise don’t match the data. ☩ Noah Smith of Bloomberg Opinion

Abortion, Cardinal Dolan, & excommunication: A response to Dr. Peters

☩Monica Migliorino Miller, Ph.D., of The Catholic World Report

Fashion “rules” we’re all ready to break

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

The Integralist Mirroring of Liberal Ideals

☩ Timothy Troutner of Church Life Journal

Of Course, Human Law Develops, Can Natural & Divine Law Develop?

☩ J. Budziszewski, Ph.D., of The Underground Thomist

School Choice: For All but the Poor

☩ Daniel Buck of Foundation for Economic Education

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☩​ Team Catholify

Grace & Perseverance

The Difference Perseverance Makes ☩ Christian Daru of Catholic Stand

The Catholic Ordinariate for Anglicans is Growing

Three or four queries a week ☩ Deborah Gyapong of The Anglicanorum Coetibus Society

Is There a Better Time to Pray the Family Rosary?

The Rosary is the special prayer that can be said any time, in any place, aloud or in our heart, and essential for the future of Catholicism in our nation. ☩ Mary Kay Clark, Ph.D., Seton Magazine

Managing Suffering In Your Life

Suffering is part of life, but how we approach it, understand it and deal with it determines how it all ends in many instances. ☩ Edward Monti of Catholic Stand

Forty Days of Lent & the Temptation of Christ

Why Lent has forty days, the meaning of the number 40 in the Old and New Testaments, and the meaning of the fasting and temptation of Jesus Christ in the Desert ☩ Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D., of Integrated Catholic Life™

Strive For Balance In Your Spiritual Life

☩ Fr. Basil W. Maturin of Catholic Exchange

Here is the correct way to fast, according to St. John Chrysostom

☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

When Lent Is Hard. . .Here’s What You Need

☩ uCatholic

Why Are Dust & Ashes Proud?

☩ Richard Van Kirk of Catholic Stand

Guéranger on the Neo-Gallican Reforms & the Sacred Arts

Today we present a chapter from Prosper Guéranger’s Institutions Liturgiques, wherein he attacks the artistic decadence of the Gallican Church, contrasting it with the sobriety and universality of the Roman rite. ☩ Notkerus Balbulus of Canticum Salomonis

Vatican II Saint Peter's Basilica

How do we make sense of the aftermath of Vatican II? This book is a clear guide

Philip Trower's style is delightfully informal and accessible to the lay reader ☩ Francis Phillips of Catholic Herald

The Oratory of the Forty Martyrs in the Roman Forum

March 9th is the original day for the feast of the Forty Martyrs, who were killed at Sebaste in Armenia under the Roman Emperor Licinius, around 320 AD. ☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

Bipolar Disorder & Promises to Theresa

A teen diagnosis of bipolar creates quite a volatile ‘coming of age’. When young Theresa, the main character in the novel Promises to Theresa by Marianne Komek, exhibits the first symptoms of bipolar, she dismisses them as simply the result of too many responsibilities. . . ☩ Birgit Jones of Catholic Stand

The Catholic Literary Revival: The Inklings Period, 1937-1973 (Tolkien & Lewis)

☩ Joseph Pearce of Faith & Culture

Empowering Women in Holiness: The 4 Female Doctors of the Church

☩ ChurchPOP

Responding to an Eastern Orthodox Christian who challenged me on Catholic Answers Live

☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

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☩​ Team Catholify

Senators should stop asking about judicial nominees’ religious beliefs

There are other ways to inquire about their fitness for office — that don’t violate the Constitution. ☩ John A. Sparks, J.D., of The Washington Post

About 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

Did Pius XII Prophesy About a “Church Which Remains Silent & Weakens the Law of God”?

When Pope Venerable Pius XII addressed the Roman people in Saint Peter’s Square in light of the Mindszenty’s imprisonment, he describes a Church that has given into the demands of the Secular State, & what “is expected as the price for her tolerance & her problematic recognition” that some would say are seen as prophetic warnings. ☩ Billy Ryan of uCatholic

Does Christ’s Church Need to Be ‘Restored’?

One thing nearly all non-Catholic Christian faith traditions have in common is some sort of “apostasy narrative.” ☩ Douglas M. Beaumont of Catholic Answers Magazine

I Am A Forgiving Person, Uh, Not So Much!

I thought I was a loving, forgiving person who didn’t judge people and just wanted to help them. . . ☩ Kendra Von Esh of Catholic Stand

Hard to believe but yes, there are more martyrs today than in 1st centuries

Pope takes up the plight of persecuted Christians in his prayer intention for March ☩ Aleteia

No food, only beer: Fasting like a 17th-century monk

☩ J.P. Mauro of Aleteia

Sex & My Conversion to Catholicism

☩ Chrissie Dunham of Medium

Matthew 7:7 – The Lenten Appeal Blueprint

☩ Brice Sokolowski of CatholicFundraiser.net

Silly Idea: Sand in holy water fonts during Lent; Fr. Z opines

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Fashion “rules” we’re all ready to break

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

Pagans vs Christians in the modern world

The history of the late Roman Empire sheds light on bitter contemporary debates ☩ Rachel Lu, Ph.D., of Mercatornet

What Was Hitler’s Religion?

Adolf Hitler was one of the most evil figures of the 20th century. His ideology of war and racism led to millions of deaths. What was it that drove him to adopt the abominable policies he did? Did his views on religion play any role in this? ☩ Jimmy Akin

Protestant Acknowledges “Five Things We Lost because of the Reformation” – one of the best I’ve read on it

He is trying to help Protestants understand that there were problems created by the Protestant movement. He explains five big loses: 1) Loss of unity, 2) Loss of monasteries, 3) Loss of silence, 4) Loss of “doing things”, and 5) Loss of color and beauty. I think this is must reading for Catholics and Protestants. ☩ Defenders of the Catholic Faith

18th Century Lenten Veils from the Former Benedictine Abbey of Irsee, Bavaria

Continuing with our consideration of some of the unique traditions found within Lent, many of our readers will already be familiar with the concept of the Lenten veil (velum quadrigesimale). . . ☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

The Empty Promise of Socialism

Socialism is getting a lot of attention these days. It is alarming to hear wild-eyed politicians describe half-baked schemes for getting their mitts on the wealth of those wealthy Americans they would have us despise and blame for all of our woes. . . ☩ Rita Dunaway of The Stream

Everyday People Are Reducing Poverty—Not Big Government

People, not the government, are making huge strides in addressing the needs of their communities & uprooting the cycles of poverty. ☩ Jake Grant of Foundation for Economic Education

Comparing Evidence for God vs. Werewolves

. . .They’ll say that you can’t prove that something doesn’t exist and since they haven’t seen any evidence for God’s existence, just like I haven’t seen any evidence for the existence of a werewolf, then they are withholding their belief. . . ☩ uCatholic

Latin Mass Permission Slip from Milwaukee, A.D. 1985

☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

Home

☩ Kat Larson of Ignitum Today

The Myth of Overpopulation Refuses to Die, The Truth is the Planet Has Too Few People

☩ John Stonestreet of Life News

The History of the Folded Chasuble Part I

☩ Aelredus Rievallensis of Canticum Salomonis

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☩​ Team Catholify

The World Does Not Honor the Housewife, So We Must

The word “vocation” gets sort of abused by both the world and in Churchy-talk. In the Church we use it to refer only in the sense of the objective states in life of marriage and the priesthood or religious life. . . ☩ Jason Craig of Those Catholic Men

About 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

A fast-growing order of nuns chose the Hill Country for expansion because 'Texans just get it'

Texas attracted another corporate expansion this year, one that could have an impact on a major institution in this state, and one that flew under the radar of state leaders in Austin. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are growing so rapidly, they had to build a second convent for the nuns. ☩ Elizabeth Souder of The Dallas Morning News

Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville's Scandal Involving Homosexuality

Openly “Gay” Priest’s Dissent Scandalizes Tennessee Parish ☩ Jim Russell of Crisis Magazine

French Cardinal Convicted of Failing to Report Abuse

He was given a six-month suspended prison sentence. The cardinal will appeal the verdict, according to The Associated Press. ☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Two-Faith Nation

When it comes to cultural issues, there is no center-left. ☩ David French of National Review

More churches, more flourishing: The secret to success in middle America

☩ Joseph Sunde of Acton Institute Powerblog

Clerical Contraception, The Other Priestly Scandal

☩ Peter Darcy of Catholic Stand

Matthew 7:7 – The Lenten Appeal Blueprint

☩ Brice Sokolowski of CatholicFundraiser.net

This Lent Remember Your Death

☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

Fashion “rules” we’re all ready to break

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

Doing Battle with the Devil: 1st Sunday of Lent

At the beginning of Lent, the Church reads to us the account of Jesus doing spiritual combat with the devil in the wilderness, reminding us that Lent is a time of warfare. Through our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we do battle with the power of the devil in our lives, and with God’s grace, defeat him decisively. ☩ John Bergsma, Ph.D., of The Sacred Page

Cardinal Müller on his “Manifesto”, its critics, Church leadership, current crisis

“The motive for sexual abuse of minors and ecclesiastical inferiors,” says the former prefect of the CDF, “is not the thirst for power over others, but unmastered sexual desire, which leads to the sin of lust and dehumanizes the victims.” ☩ The Catholic World Report

Confess My Sins to a Priest? Why Can't I Just Talk to God?

Our Lord gave the power to forgive sins to the Apostles, who in turn passed it along to their successors, the bishops and priests. ☩ Kathy Schiffer of National Catholic Register

How a Catholic Businessman Put the Filet-O-Fish on the McDonald’s Menu

Cincinnati’s Lou Groen turned a 1963 idea into the popular Lenten sandwich. ☩ Patti Maguire Armstrong of National Catholic Register

Cardinal Maradiaga discusses Cardinal Pell, Vatican Summit, service, & reform

The cardinal president of the “C6” Council of Cardinal Advisers spoke recently spoke to the news portal Religión Digital about the crisis of clerical sexual abuse and coverup in the Church, as well as the reform of the Roman Curia. ☩ Christopher R. Altieri of The Catholic World Report

First They Came for the Catholics. . .

The War on Catholic Judicial Appointments began in 2017 when Dianne Feinstein used her seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee to go after Judge Amy Coney Barrett ☩ Dov Fischer of The American Spectator

Dred Scott & Roe v. Wade: Two Supreme Court Decisions Claiming Some People Have No Human Rights

162 years ago today, the Supreme Court handed down its disastrous Dred Scott v. Sanford decision. Like Roe v. Wade, to which pro-lifers routinely compare it, the High Court’s vote was 7-2. ☩ Dave Andrusko of Life News

The Power of Praise & Worship

☩ Thomas Clements of Ignitum Today

Latin Mass Permission Request Form from Buffalo, 1985

☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

The Living Wage & Its Critics

☩ John Clark of National Catholic Register

What Does Scripture Mean by “the Flesh”?

☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of Community in Mission

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Fasting & Abstinence at Lent: A CNA Explainer

Most Catholics, even those who don’t often go to Mass, know that Lent is a time for Friday Fish Fries and “giving something up.” But many Catholics wonder what exactly the Church requires during Lent, and why. ☩ CNA via The Catholic World Report

Church groups are losing members; Wherein Fr. Z rants

All our activities as Catholic Christians must flow from & return to proper liturgical worship of God, in His Church & as His Church provides by God’s own authority. Otherwise, we drift from being a people with a mind & heart for the transcendent, a transforming encounter with God in Mystery, & we wind up mired in immanentism, without a sense of something beyond, that which is unsettling & yet alluring. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

The Meaning of “Lent” & “Easter” (Is Probably Not What You Think)

In many languages, the term for this season means something like “The Fast” or “Fasting-Time.” Not so with English. We just named the season Lencten, the Old English word for “spring”. . . ☩ Joe Heschmeyer, J.D., of Shameless Popery

Cardinal Müller: Cardinal Pell’s Conviction ‘Against All Reason & Justice’

The prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith told the Register that the allegations against Cardinal Pell are ‘absolutely unbelievable.’ ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

An Examination of Conscience for Lent

The purpose of examining our consciences is to grow in our relationship with God. That is also true of everything else in Lent and in our lives as Catholics. ☩ Marty Dybicz of Catholic Stand

Envy & Jealousy: Why the Difference Actually Matter

Most people use envy and jealousy interchangeably. Is there a difference between these terms and why should we care? For one, we should use words knowingly and deliberately, understanding what we mean by them! Secondly, I will show that there is a theological importance to getting them right. ☩ R. Jared Staudt of Catholic Exchange

Unlearning Ourselves in Lent

☩ Blessed John Henry Newman via The Catholic Thing

'Cupich Plan' for Investigating Bishops Accused of Sex Abuse Faces Rough Road

☩ Joan Frawley Desmond of National Catholic Register

A matter of taste: One writer's deep dive into fast-food fish sandwiches

☩ Mark Pattison of CNS via Angelus News

The Destination of "Synodality", Lessons from Norway

☩ Mark Lambert of De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

HIV Patient Cured of AIDS Thanks to Adult Stem Cells

Understandably, all the attention in response to an article posted in the journal “Nature” was captured in the headline in many ensuing stories: “Second HIV patient is in long-term remission, a decade after the first.” What was completely ignored is the source of the stem cells that were responsible for this long-term remission from HIV infection—they were adult stem cells. ☩ Dave Andrusko of Life News

About 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

Liturgical Details: The Uncapped Thurible

One of the (now) distinctive features of the Ambrosian rite is the "uncapped" thurible -- a thurible, or censer, without the decorative top (or cap) that covers the burning coals and incense within. ☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

More dangerous garbage from the National Catholic Reporter

This is the sort of dreck that Fishwrap publishes on Ash Wednesday – destruction of the Church’s identity and life through “updating” the sacraments. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Forty Hours at St Mary’s Oratory in Wausau, Wisconsin

The Institute of Christ the King’s church in Wausau, Wisconsin, St Mary’s Oratory, recently held the Forty Hours devotion, from Thursday, February 28, to Saturday, March 2nd. ☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

What Basil the Great wants you to know about fasting

☩ Amy Welborn of Charlotte Was Both

The Ash Grey Lenten Vestments of the Rite of Lyon

☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

The symbolism of the iconic San Damiano cross

☩ Zelda Caldwell of Aleteia

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☩​ Team Catholify

Five Meanings of the Ashes We Receive Today

As a boy, I remember wondering why so many people liked to rush to Church to get ashes smudged on their foreheads. . . ☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of Community in Mission

Modern Blindness: Failure to See What Is Real & True

Aristotle says that sight is the most philosophical sense. Of the five senses, it most resembles our capacity to know. We naturally desire both to see and to know. Indeed, knowing is an intellectual seeing. Of course, “I see” can mean “I understand.” ☩ Edvard Lorkavic of Crisis Magazine

About 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

Doctors of the Church: Fasting Can Help Faithful Hold Fast to God’s Love

St. Thomas and St. Francis de Sales offer sage advice for fasting this Lent. ☩ Joseph O'Brien of National Catholic Register

The stakes of Pell’s Vatican trial

The Vatican has announced that a canonical process against Cardinal Pell will soon begin in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. ☩ Ed Condon, J.C.L., & J.D. Flynn, J.C.L. of CNA via The Catholic World Report

How to Make The Most Out of Lent

Lent is not simply a time where we deprive ourselves of joy for a few weeks—just because. It is a time where we are supposed to focus on our own personal relationship with God, developing our mental, personal, and spiritual health—so that we can make more room for God in our every day lives. ☩ Gregory Popcak, Ph.D., & Rachael Popcak of Faith on the Couch

Pope Appoints Bishops of Memphis, Fresno, Names New Auxiliary for LA

Bishop David Prescott Talley will head Memphis, while Bishop Joseph Brennan will head Fresno. Fr. Alejandro Aclan is new auxiliary bishop for L.A. ☩ CNA via National Catholic Register

The Pure In Heart Shall See God

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus promises us that the pure in heart shall see God. ☩ Thomas Clements of Integrated Catholic Life™

Immoderate Desires I: The Deadly Sin of Gluttony

☩ Anthony S. Layne of Catholic Stand

Raymond Arroyo & The Papal Posse: Vatican Abuse Summit Was A Pointless "Gabfest"

☩ De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

You Can’t “Fast” from Facebook; The Three Kinds of Lent Fasting

☩ John B. Manos, J.D., of Bellarmine Forum

Religious Freedom Tastes Victory: Colorado & Christian Baker Jack Phillips End Their Legal Battle

☩ Al Perrota of The Stream

What’s It Like to Be a Deacon’s Wife?

☩ Jim Graves of National Catholic Register

Plagiarism prompts retraction of a 25-year-old article by Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.

. . .According to Dougherty’s analysis, Rosica’s article, “The Road to Emmaus and the Road to Gaza: Luke 24:13-35 & Acts 8:26-40,” plagiarizes from six different sources. . . ☩ Ivan Oransky of Retraction Watch

The Responsibilities of Good Taste

“The new school of art and thought does indeed wear an air of audacity, and breaks out everywhere into blasphemies, as if it required any courage to say a blasphemy. There is only one thing that it requires real courage to say, and that is a truism.” - G. K. Chesterton ☩ John H. Folley of Beauty Advocacy

Muslim Azerbaijan & 'the worst cultural genocide of the 21st century' Upon Christian Armenia

A damning new report details an attempted erasure by Azerbaijan of its Armenian cultural heritage, including the destruction of tens of thousands of Unesco-protected ancient stone carvings ☩ Dale Berning Sawa of The Guardian

On the Rise of Ethnic-Nationalism

. . .I’ve noticed a trend that's dangerous for Christianity, but one that could be remedied by going back to a traditional Christian perspective. ☩ Shane Schaetzel of Complete Christianity

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

Supreme Court Rejects Church-Funding Case

☩ CNA via National Catholic Register

Tired of Long Lines at Fish Restaurants During Lent? Try These 5 Food Alternatives

☩ ChurchPOP

St. John Chrysostom Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

How Aquinas’s First Mover is Also Universal Governor

☩ Dennis Bonnette, Ph.D., of Strange Notions

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☩​ Team Catholify

Pope Francis Orders Archives of Pius XII’s Entire Pontificate to Be Opened

Access to the documents, which include those on the venerable pontiff’s actions during World War II, has been long awaited. ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

Keeping Kiwis in the dark about the trans agenda

The last thing government really wants is a public debate ☩ Carolyn Moynihan of Mercatornet

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

Choosing Lenten Devotionals: Wisdom From Blessed Columba Marmion

This penitential season brings with it the call to do more, to deepen our relationship with God. Let’s take a look at how to choose a devotional practice to achieve this goal. ☩ Leila Marie Lawler of Catholic Spiritual Direction

Trans Men Erase Women

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who is openly lesbian, has been ousted from the board of Athlete Ally, a nonprofit that promotes LGBT inclusion in sports. Navratilova published an op-ed in the U.K. Sunday Times on February 17 in which she said it was “unfair” to allow trans women—biological males who had changed their gender identity to female—to compete athletically against biological women. ☩ Charlotte Allen of First Things

Celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Theology’s Oldest Journal

. . .I found myself rummaging for a quotation from the inaugural, 1819 issue of the Theologische Quartalschrift, the house journal for the Catholic faculty of theology in Tübingen. ☩ Grant Kaplan of Church Life Journal

Equip Yourself to Become A True Trans Ally: Read Walt Heyer’s Trans Life Survivors

☩ Jean C. Lloyd, Ph.D., of Public Discourse

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

5 Litanies to sing & pray this Lent

☩ Fr. Edward Looney of Aleteia

Aquinas on Social Media's Effect on the Soul

☩ T.J. Burdick

In Michigan Fat Tuesday is Pączki Day, a celebration of Polish doughnuts

☩ J.P. Mauro of Aleteia

Your Comprehensive Guide to Ash Wednesday Ashes

☩ ChurchPOP

St. John Chrysostom Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

Mary Leads the Way: Off the Shelf 114 with Christine Watkins

☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

The Tower Where Joan of Arc Was Held Still Stands

This foreboding 13th-century tower is the sole surviving relic of the medieval castle of Rouen, built by King Phillip II of France after his victory over the English. The castle played an important part in the Hundred Years’ War and the religious wars between French Catholics and Huguenot Protestants, but its most infamous role was as the place where Joan of Arc was imprisoned and interrogated before being burned at the stake in 1431. ☩ Atlas Obscura

Internet Censorship By Controlling Elites Will Not End Well

Like any complex functional system, human society involves distinctions, hierarchies, & lasting connections. The Internet, & electronic media generally, disrupt all that. They make everything equally present to everything else, & put all things on the same footing. Relationships become fluid, & sounds & images can be chopped up & reassembled, so that anything can be presented as anything else. The resulting liberation of experience from concrete connections & realities turns the world into a riot of self-indulgent fantasy. If you want to believe that the earth is flat, or run by shape-shifting alien reptilians, you can find a community on the Internet that supports you. ☩ James Kalb, J.D., of Crisis Magazine

“Church-Speak”

Many groups have a tendency to use words that make sense to their members but are unintelligible to outsiders. I have sometimes had to decode “Church-speak” for recent converts. ☩ Strange Things Church People Say - Msgr. Charles Pope of Community in Mission

Tempt Not a Desperate Man

One thing that I am sure of, and which I can answer truthfully, is that whatever the contingencies that may arise here, wherever I am there will be no communism -- General Francisco Franco ☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., The American Catholic

4 Ways to Gain a Plenary Indulgence Daily During Lent

. . .gaining the indulgence might require some sacrifice, especially of time. That would bring in some fasting from non-essentials like social media. ☩ Joseph Pronechen of National Catholic Register

Rays of Truth

And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables.” (Mk 4:11) ☩ Noel Ethan Tan of Ignitum Today

Begin Lent with this spiritual warfare prayer

☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

On Suffering – Preparing Us For Heaven, Part III of III

☩ Steffani Jacobs of Catholic Stand

100 Edifying Lenten Penances

☩ Rick Yoder of The Amish Catholic

Incense Review: Evergreen

☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

To Have and to Hold

☩ Carol Monaco of Catholic Stand

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Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩​ Team Catholify

Were Adam & Eve Real? Evolutionary Bottlenecks & “Darwin’s Radio”

Having learned to distrust newspaper accounts of new physics developments, I decided to read the original paper by Stoeckle and Thaler that spawned this & similar popular accounts: Using a barcoding technique to define variation in mitochondrial DNA of humans & many other species, they conclude. . . ☩ Robert Kurland, Ph.D., of Catholic Stand

George Pell: To Kill a Cardinal?

When lawyer Atticus Finch entered the Maycomb County Courtroom in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird to defend a client falsely accused of rape, the jury could not see past one thing – the color of the defendant’s skin. The evidence, the argument, and the witnesses were a show. The jury was conditioned and prejudiced against the defendant and would convict regardless of whether an unanswerable defense was mounted. There was a predetermined outcome ☩ uCatholic

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

What Are Your Lenten Plans? Here are 10 Ways to Make the Most of This Liturgical Season

☩ ChurchPOP

Pre-Lent in Christian Liturgies: An Ancient & Universal Custom

. . .there is a period of preparation for the great fast of Lent, during which the faithful are readied for the coming of this major period in the liturgical year so that they can gradually enter into the ascetic practices that they will observe until Easter. ☩ Aelredus Rievallensis of Canticum Salomonis

Social Justice Poison

Joel Kotkin at Tablet demonstrates how an emphasis upon the bilge going by the name of Social Justice, & what an Orwellian phrase that truly is, is poison for any religion silly enough to embrace it. ☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., of The American Catholic

We All Need to Support the Catholic Arts

The great Catholic poet Gerard Manley Hopkins tells us that “the world is charged with the grandeur of God.” ☩ Joseph Pearce of The Imaginative Conservative

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

Upcoming Amazon Synod & discussion of the matter (wheat) for the Eucharist

Crux: “Amazon” Synod. . . who will be the first to quip that they will try to sell out the Church? ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

New court battle not likely to set clear path for religious symbols -

Just before the Supreme Court heard oral arguments about Maryland’s Peace Cross - which pays tribute to fallen World War I soldiers - a few people on the steps of the court were confident the weathered monument would get to stay in place. . . ☩ Carol Zimmerman of CNS via Crux

Calling Cardinal Pell’s Prosecution What It Is: Religious Persecution

☩ Fr. Raymond J. de Souza of National Catholic Register

Alex Byrne on gender identity

☩ Edward Feser, Ph.D.

Rethinking Lent This Year

☩ Laura DeMaria of Catholic Stand

St. John Chrysostom Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

The New Type of Business Proving That For-Profits Can Be Charitable

☩ Pat Brady of RealClearPolicy

St. Peter Damian, a Doctor of the Church, sounds eerily like he’s writing to us

☩ Kathryn Jean Lopez of Aleteia

Beloved Bulletins: Church Communiqués Remain the First Line for Information

Parish newsletters are perennial favorites. ☩ Joseph Pronechen of National Catholic Register

Why I am staying Catholic

In a way, it’s hard to blame people who pack up and quit. But quit the Church? No. Here are some reasons why not. ☩ Russell Shaw of The Catholic World Report

Are Jesuits Proud of Their Pro-Abortion Alumni?

Why does secular prestige seem to be more important than the slaughter of innocent babies? ☩ Patrick Reilly of National Catholic Register

The new institute set up to help Catholic NGOs deal with legal challenges

In their private law practices, Tim Busch & John Peiffer, our co-founders, have worked with a variety of Catholic & other religious organizations on corporate, tax, & transactional legal matters. Additionally, the Napa Institute, which is independent but affiliated with NLI, acts as an incubator for new Catholic apostolates & other organizations by providing a venue in which strategic relationships are formed & apostolic partnership opportunities are explored. ☩ Charles C. Camosy of Crux

ISIS Brutality Drove These Muslims to Christian Conversion: “Their God is Not My God”

NBC News reported the stories of several Muslims who chose Christianity after witnessing & experiencing ISIS’s horrific brutality. ☩ ChurchPOP

The Surviving Organs of David Tannenberg

Throughout his career, David Tannenberg was well-regarded as an organ builder and was in high demand throughout the German-speaking communities to provide organs for their churches. . . ☩ Philip T.D. Cooper of Vox Humana

What does the Bible really say about Mary, the Mother of the Messiah?

☩ Paul Senz of The Catholic World Report

India Sees Rise in Public Lynchings of Christians

☩ CNA via National Catholic Register

Catholic Answers About Freemasonry, Part I

☩ David L. Gray of DavidLGray.info

Confession: Celebrating a Renewed Friendship with God

☩ Gabriel Garnica of Catholic Stand

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St. Basil’s remedy to destroy sin in your life

The medicine may be hard to swallow, but its effectiveness is surprising. ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

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

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩​ Team Catholify

The Real Presence & Our Personal Relationship with Jesus

If someone were to ask me what I think is the biggest single problem facing the Catholic Church today, I would answer that it is the widespread loss of faith in Our Lord’s Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. ☩ Fr. William Casey of Catholic Exchange

What Does the Bible Teach About Fasting?

Fasting as spiritual practices of materially subduing & controlling the physical appetites of the body, help us, by God’s grace, to enable the soul to more perfectly pray. ☩ Deacon Michael Bickerstaff of Integrated Catholic Life™

Try giving up worry; Off the Shelf 113 with Gary Zimak

Each Lent we are encouraged to give something up as a sacrifice during the penitential season. Most often we pick things we can put our fingers on like sweets or coffee. What if we tried something different. ☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

Bodily Mortification is Quite Scriptural

“Gird yourselves with sackcloth” ☩ Dave Armstrong of National Catholic Register

“Don’t Be Afraid of Confession. . .Feelings Don’t Determine Forgiveness,” Parish Priest Encourages

☩ ChurchPOP

These, Ladies & Gentlemen, Are Men

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

The Spirit Of Poverty

☩ Daniel Burke of Catholic Spiritual Direction

What 2 Maccabees Can Teach Us About Holy Indifference

☩ Fr. Ed Broom, O.M.V., of Catholic Exchange

How Can Sacred Space In My Home Help Me To Pray? – Video

Beauty in sacred space is very powerful and its impact on us as we seek to draw our heart and mind to prayer. How can we have this kind of impact in our own home? ☩ Daniel Burke of Catholic Spiritual Direction

FSSP Subdiaconal Ordinations

On Saturday, February 9th, His Excellency Robert Finn, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph, ordained nine men to the subdiaconate at the FSSP seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska. ☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

800 Medieval illuminated manuscripts are now available online

The manuscripts, all dated between 700 & 1200, are being made available to the general public for the first time, thanks to a collaboration between England & France. ☩ J.P. Mauro of Aleteia

Embrace the Long Days of Lent

“Lent” comes most recently from the Middle English word lencten, meaning “springtime”, a fitting & obvious association. But look further, & you see that the word has much older, deeper roots in an ancient Germanic word langitinaz, which means “long days”. . . ☩ Cari Donaldson of Catholic Exchange

The Dramatic & Catechetical Quality of the Traditional Church Orderings

Historically within the Latin rite there are two predominant church orderings one tends to think of in relation to the altar and sanctuary. The first is the ancient basilica arrangement with the ciborium magnum set over a freestanding altar. . . ☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

O Blessed Light, O Trinity & First Unity!

The amazing glorious love of the Most Blessed Trinity is overwhelming ☩ Winston Elliott, III, of National Catholic Register

Whatever happened to Onesimus, the slave mentioned by St. Paul?

According to ancient traditions, Onesimus went from slave to bishop. ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

Extraordinary Miracles Attributed to 21 Beheaded Coptic Christians: “The Martyrs Heal People”

☩ ChurchPOP

Miraculous “Second Lepanto” Shows Power of the Rosary

☩ Joseph Pronechen of National Catholic Register

The fascinating story of two St. Dominic's & a faith-filled mom

☩ Larry Peterson of Aleteia

“The Armenian Liturgy as a Home away from Rome”

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

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Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast

☩​ Team Catholify

Weaponized Self-Pity, Part II: ‘Gay’ Clergy

Dear priests: We need you to be holy, first and foremost. We need you to be celibate and honor your vow of chastity. And way down the list of your self-understanding, our understanding of you, comes your identity as ‘gay.’ ☩ Jennifer Roback Morse of National Catholic Register

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

Changing the Narrative Around People in Poverty

Honest conversations will help eliminate the misconceptions about people living in poverty. The barriers to mobility are complex, & a realistic narrative will help lead to greater economic & social mobility. ☩ A Conversation with Wes Moore of The Catalyst

Bishop Steven J. Lopes on Beauty in the Liturgy

☩ J.B. Pauley of St. Benet Biscop Chapter of St. John's Oblates

Today’s abuse crisis is “exponentially different” from the crisis of 2002

Well, folks, intense as these last 10 days have been, if only that was everything on the plate. . . ☩ Rocco Palmo of Whispers in the Loggia

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

Celibacy, Chastity, Same-Sex Attraction, Priesthood: Some Necessary Distinctions

In the hyper-sexualized society we Christians inhabit, chastity is as counter-cultural today as it was for the early Christians in the decadent Roman Empire. ☩ Fr. Peter M.J. Stravinskas of The Catholic World Report

To Spank or Not to Spank?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Pediatricians sharply disagree. ☩ Marcia Segelstein of National Catholic Register

The Catholic Guide to Loneliness

Everyone experiences loneliness at some time or another. Adam experienced it in the Garden of Eden. Jesus, on the cross. Many saints even experienced loneliness. No one is immune, but there are ways to combat it. ☩ Theresa Zoe Williams of epicPew

Practical Advice for Lent

☩ Shaun McAfee, O.P., of National Catholic Register

Pope Francis & the Papacy: Steve Ray on Catholic Answers Live

☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

Immigration Is a Complex & Divisive Issue for Catholics

☩ Joseph O'Brien of National Catholic Register

St. John Chrysostom Teaches Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

Beware the Stormtroopers of Secularism

☩ Joseph Pearce of National Catholic Register

Employing Reason to Be Happy: Peace in the Present Moment

☩ Suellen Brewster of Catholic Stand

If You’re Late in Planning for Lent, Read This Now

Oh no you almost forgot about Lent or a little bit late in planning. Don’t worry, EpicPew has you covered. ☩ Melissa Guerrero of EpicPew

Today In Trans Tyranny

I have a Catholic friend, born in Britain and proud of her heritage, who emigrated to the US with her husband in part because she wanted their children to have a decent chance at holding on to the faith. She did not believe that this was likely in aggressively post-Christian Britain. . . ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Celibacy Is the Answer to Abusive Priests, Not the Problem

The real problem is loss of the culture of chastity. ☩ Fr. Carter Griffin of Mercatornet

The Founders’ Natural Rights Philosophy Does Not Entail Radical Autonomy

It’s an error for conservatives to see the American Founding’s emphasis on natural rights as necessarily fostering extreme individualism in contemporary America. Eighteenth-century Americans would have viewed the notion that rights could be exercised contrary to natural law as ridiculous. ☩ Samuel Gregg, D.Phil., of Public Discourse

What Happened When Atheists Attended a Talk on Exorcism

☩ Tom Nash of National Catholic Register

Why Church Is the Best Place for a Job Fair

☩ Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra of The Gospel Coalition

The C-Section

☩ Ryan Kraeger of Ignitum Today

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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

"When I pointed out [to Pope on the phone] that I didn't have any kind of academic, ecclesial, or theological profile to justify such an invitation, the Pope with his disarming style said: ‘This is very positive’”

☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

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

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