Robert Edwards

Living a Catholic life.

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☩​ Team Catholify

New Documents Challenge Vatican Claims About Accused Argentine Bishop

Newspaper purports Vatican knew about Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta before 2017 appointment to a Vatican office, which Vatican has denied. ☩ CNA via National Catholic Register

In Their Own Words: Parents of Kids Who Think They Are Trans Speak Out

Parents like us must remain anonymous to maintain our children’s privacy, & because we face legal repercussions if our names are revealed. Parents who do not support their child’s gender identity risk being reported to Child Protective Services & losing custody of their children. ☩ Five Anonymous Moms of Public Discourse

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

Holy See Issues Statement on Conviction, Appeal of Cardinal Pell

Cardinal Pell is expected to be sentenced on Wednesday and is appealing the conviction. ☩ CNA via National Catholic Register

Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., Fraud

Earlier this month, journalists discovered that Fr. Thomas Rosica—an influential & (it was believed) media-savvy Catholic priest—had plagiarized portions of some of his speeches & popular publications. ☩ Joshua P. Hochschild, Ph.D., of First Things

Bishops Rebuke Catholic Sen. Tim Kaine for Voting for Infanticide: “Appalling” Lack of “Basic Human Decency”

Bishops Rebuke Catholic Sen. Tim Kaine for Voting for Infanticide: "It's Appalling and Beyond Comprehension" | LifeNews.com ☩ Lauretta Brown of Life News

Spiritual Egalitarianism Is Deadly

“It’s not going to be long now,” says the doctor, as you stand beside the bed of your loved one. “Shall I send for the head of the Liturgy Committee?” . . . ☩ Anthony M. Esolen, Ph.D., of Crisis Magazine

Why the Summit Fell Flat, & What Might Happen Next

The refusal to consider vulnerable adults & homosexuality in the discussion is a severe blow to credibility. ☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of National Catholic Register

Did Noah Really Live to Be 950?

How should we understand these references (age spans)? ☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of Community in Mission

The Francis-Friendly Media

Although the largely liberal media is no more a friend of the Catholic Church than it was in 2002, it sees Francis as a fellow liberal who will champion the “right” causes. ☩ William Kilpatrick, J.D., of The Catholic World Report

The beauty of the Liturgy, Beauty of the Soul: An Essay by Dom Karl Wallner, O. Cist.

☩ Aelredus Rievallensis of Canticum Salomonis

Cardinal Brandmüller: Silence on Homosexuality in Church Cries Out to Be Broken

☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

Pro-Life Senator Raises Questions About Circuit Court Nominee Neomi Rao’s Judicial Philosophy

☩ Madeline Osburn of The Federalist

“Reversing Roe” on Netflix: The Pro-Abortion Crockumentary of the Century

☩ Ryan Bomberger of Life News

Vatican II’s Three Principles of Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

What Can We Do? Speak Out!

☩ Betty Parquette of Catholic Stand

Why I Still Want to Be a Priest After 2018

As 2018 came to an end, and we begin 2019, it was not a glamorous year for the priesthood. ☩ Brian Isenbarger of Those Catholic Men

She’s a Witch! She’s a Christian! But She’s Not Both: Upcoming Christian Witches Convention

“All practices of magic or sorcery ... are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion.” (CCC 2117) ☩ Angelo Stagnaro of National Catholic Register

Wholly Indifferent, or Holy Indifference?

There is an interesting dynamic that plays itself out in the spiritual lives of many souls. It is the struggle between the conflicting attitudes of one being wholly indifferent and of one practicing holy indifference. ☩ Mark Danis of Integrated Catholic Life™

Bible History Set in Stone: Archeology Finds Affirming Biblical Account

During the 1993-94 excavations at Tel Dan, in northern Israel, a stele (a stone slab bearing an inscription) was unearthed. Made from basalt, a volcanic rock plentiful in the region, it bears an account of a military victory. Scholars have postulated that the inscription commemorates an Aramean king’s defeat of Israelite forces. It may have been commissioned by Hazael or Ben-Hadad III, his son (cf. 2 Kings 10:32, 13:3, 22; 2 Chron. 22:5). ☩ Cale Clarke of Catholic Answers Magazine

No, Disapproval Does Not Make Homosexuals Die Young

Fake science is more dangerous than fake news because it takes more than a 24-hour news cycle to debunk fake science. ☩ Austin Ruse of The Stream

Should a Catholic Participate in Carnival?

While the pre-Lenten festival has existed for many centuries, saints and others have had mixed views about it. ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

Democrats Departing from Party’s Extreme Abortion Views, Poll Reveals

☩ Grace Carr of The Stream

Letting Jesus Heal Our Wounds

☩ Dom Cingoranelli of Catholic Stand

All 6 Democratic Presidential Candidates Vote for Infanticide

☩ Michael Brown, Ph.D., of The Stream

Blasphemy against the Spirit

☩ Nicholas Lye of Ignitum Today

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☩​ Team Catholify

Papal Allies Reveal Their Plans for Revolutionary Change

On March 3, 2013, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor—an alumnus of the St. Gallen mafia—met with then-Cardinal Bergoglio over risotto & wine. ☩ Julia Meloni of Crisis Magazine

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

No, Austen Ivereigh, Our Lord Didn’t Have ‘Homosexual Tendencies’ (Updated)

“Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father's one, perfect & unsurpassable Word.” (CCC 65) ☩ Fr. Matthew L. Schneider, L.C., of National Catholic Register

Dramatic Increase of American's Identifying as "Pro-Life"

Pro-Abortion Push Boosts Pro-Life Cause, Poll Finds ☩ Kathy Schiffer of National Catholic Register

Fr. Thomas Rosica’s Long Term, Large Scale Blatant Plagiarism is a Problem Which Extends Right to the Top of the Church

I doubt very much whether Fr Roscica’s repeated, long term plagiarism will result in any sort of restrictions or penalties. ☩ Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Pope Francis is Losing Power & "Accountability"

. . .the Zanchetta case, on a par with the case of former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, weighs directly against the person of Pope Francis, who has never replied to the allegations that he supported and promoted both of them in spite of the fact that he knew about their reprehensible behavior. ☩ Sandro Magister of Settimo Cielo of L'Espresso

What Moral Relativism Really Says About Reality

Most of us, at some point, have encountered the demon of moral relativism, a philosophy claiming that every system of moral precepts (or lack thereof) is equally good, and adherence to one or another is merely a matter of personal preference. In other words, “Truth is in the eye of the beholde ☩ Cecily Lowe of Catholic Stand

These Are the Oldest Surviving Images of the Virgin Mary

Distinctly absent from the four Gospels or any book of the New Testament are descriptions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in any detail. Nevertheless, Catholic tradition has depicted Our Lady in many forms throughout history. ☩ Billy Ryan of uCatholic

Glorious Chastity: Offering Children the Safest Place in a Devastated World

☩ Stacy A. Trasancos, Ph.D., of National Catholic Register

Argentine Bishop's Case Overshadows Pope's Sex Abuse Summit

☩ Nicole Winfield of Associated Press via U.S. News & World Report

Vatican Cringe-a-thon Sex Abuse Summit Ends

☩ Mark Lambert of De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Vatican II’s Three Principles of Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

An Unlikely Cahtolic Conversion

☩ Mark Bauerlein & Abigail Rine Favale of First Things

Three Ways to Pray for Priests

In 2002, St. John Paul II asked “Catholics to stay close to their priests & Bishops, & to support them with their prayers at this difficult time.” Because of the crimes of a few & the cover-up of those crimes, these “difficult times” continue. ☩ Rose Folsom of Catholic Exchange

Apple Cooperates With the CCP to Censor “Bitter Winter”

A number of apps, media & VPNs are blocked from operating in Communist China, where cyber-control against freedom of speech & information has become a national obsession. ☩ Marco Respintin of Bitter Winter

National Survey Results: What We Learned About Latin Mass Attendees

Through more than twenty years of offering both the Novus Ordo Mass (NOM) & the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), this writer has observed variations between the people attending the two different Masses within the Roman Rite. . . ☩ Fr. Donald Kloster et al. of Liturgy Guy

Have you visited these Catholic pilgrimage sites in the American South?

Most people don't realize that the South is home to some of the oldest & most beautiful Catholic churches & sites in the United States. ☩ Carissa Pluta of Aleteia

State Dept’s Pro-LGBT Offensive Unwittingly Endangers Religious Liberty for Christians Worldwide

Plan misreads American freedom, as the caricature that leftists & theocrats like to cite. ☩ John Zmirak, Ph.D., of The Stream

Why does God permit the devil to tempt us?

God's ways are certainly not our ways. ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

Why U.S. Catholic Bishops Are Servile to the Democrats

The Stream’s John Zmirak joined Catholic author Taylor Marshall to talk about why American Catholic leaders are so quiet on moral issues like abortion & sexuality, but so loud on immigration, welfare programs, & other topics dear to the Democrats. ☩ John Zmirak, Ph.D., with Taylor Marshall, Ph.D.

The Paradox of the Cross

Sometimes, the most holy and blameless men have to bear a great cross of suffering throughout their lives, whereas the sinful & worldly men sometimes get healed by God despite their negligible faith. ☩ Noel Ethan Tan of Ignitum Today

The Catholic Literary Revival: The Waste Land Generation (Eliot, Waugh & Greene)

☩ Joseph Pearce of Faith & Culture

Why Religious Freedom Matters

☩ Alan Sears of Townhall

Of Podcasts, Painting, & Beer: Laypeople Usher in Revival of Catholic Culture

☩ Katie Warner of National Catholic Register

Was St. Peter married when he met Jesus?

☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

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☩​ Team Catholify

Cardinal O’Malley wants Vatican report on who knew what about McCarrick

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston wants to see a report from the Vatican detailing who knew what and when about Theodore McCarrick ☩ Inés San Martín of Crux

Where are Lenten Practices in the Bible?

What Catholics & other Christians observe during Lent is altogether in line with biblical teaching. ☩ Dave Armstrong of National Catholic Register

Archbishop says Church has ‘squandered trust’ during sex abuse crisis

There is a “long road ahead of us” to implement all the norms necessary to fight clerical sexual abuse, according to Archbishop Philip Naameh of Tamale. “We have thereby squandered the trust placed in us,” he said, “especially with regard to abuse within the area of responsibility of the Church, which is primarily our responsibility. We have not afforded people the protection they are entitled to, have destroyed hopes, & people were massively violated in both body & soul.” ☩ Charles Collins of Crux

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

Fr. Thomas Rosica's Plagiarism is Much Worse Than Thought

Will publications that have published @fatherrosica review his work? Take this article he published in @americamag. It is almost entirely lifted from writings by @Cardinal_Wuerl & @jimbretzke. ☩ Matthew Schmitz via Twitter

Journalists will be bishops’ ‘worst enemies’ if they continue to cover up abuse

Throughout the Vatican abuse summit, the role of the media in exposing the misdeeds and cover-ups the Church has often discussed. ☩ Charles Collins of Crux

Love: The Source & the Summit of the Catholic Faith

“Thus it is evident to everyone that all the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity; by this holiness as such a more human manner of living is promoted in this earthly society.” (Lumen Gentium, 5, 40) ☩ Greg Chrysostom of Catholic Stand

Father Matthew Schneider is dead wrong

I shouldn't be surprised, it was written on Patheos, but still. . . ☩ Connecticut Catholic Corner

Pope Francis Outlines 8-Point Plan for ‘All-Out Battle’ Against Sexual Abuse

☩ Courtney Grogan of CNA via National Catholic Register

Cardinal Scicluna Responds Poorly to Pope Francis Cover-Up Question by a Crux Journalist

☩ Catholic Sat via Twitter

Vatican II’s Three Principles of Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

Legal loophole may be closing for bishops who hide sex abuse

☩ Associated Press of Crux

Of Podcasts, Painting, & Beer: Laypeople Usher in Revival of Catholic Culture

☩ Katie Warner of National Catholic Register

Covington Catholic Student Sues Washington Post Over Nathan Phillips Story

Attorneys for Nicholas Sandmann announced they filed a $250-million lawsuit against the newspaper. ☩ Christine Rousselle of CNA via National Catholic Register

The New York Times Pushes a Tired & Flawed Gay Priest Narrative

In its recent Sunday edition, America’s newspaper of record ran a front-page article on the challenges facing gay Catholic priests titled “A Silent Crisis for Gay Priests.” This latest article is flawed; the narrative is false. . . ☩ Adrian Reimers of Crisis Magazine

Google Officials Meet With Planned Parenthood President as It Comes Under Fire for Censoring Pro-Lifers

Google’s political biases are showing again. ☩ Micaiah Bilger of Life News

Recovering from Cultural Dementia

. . .The thing I did suspect, because it confirms what I’ve seen all these years, is that poetry has been almost wholly abandoned. ☩ Anthony M. Esolen, Ph.D., of The Catholic Thing

Why This Priest is Ready for Martyrdom if California Forces Priests to Break Confessional Seal to Report Abusers

A new bill was just presented in California that would force priests to reveal what is said in the confessional. The result of this law would be imprisoned, & possibly martyred priests. And it probably won’t stand up in court. ☩ ChurchPOP

The Great Deception & God’s Mercy

As I reflected on the incessant infighting about all kinds of things in the world, social media, and the Church, I wondered why we spend so much time fighting over trivial matters. ☩ Susan Skinner of Catholic Stand

‘Abhorrent’: Advertisers Bail on YouTube After Pedophiles Flood Platform’s Comment Section

Several major companies stopped buying advertisements on YouTube after their ads appeared on videos where pedophiles littered the comment sections, The New York Times reported Wednesday. ☩ Chris White of The Stream

Percentage of souls who go to heaven vs. hell, How many are saved?

Are only a few saved? Does the greater proportion of humanity end up in hell? Some quotes attributed to the Mystics & Saints ☩ Mystics of the Church

The Rotten Fruit of Secularization

Only he who lives according to the commandments of God can be a good shepherd and a model for the flock. ☩ Gerhard Cardinal Müller of National Catholic Register

‘Cultural Totalitarianism’

. . .the attempt by the left to seize total control & use every power at its disposal (political, economic, cultural, technological) to smash its moral opponents, once & for all. . . ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Why Are Jacinta & Francisco Always Scowling?

Jacinta & Francisco were canonized by Pope Francis on May 13, 2017. Their feast day is February 20. ☩ Kathy Schiffer of National Catholic Register

Anthony Esolen on the Real Way Home

☩ John M. Grondelski, Ph.D., of National Catholic Register

The Pedophile Project: Your 7-Year-Old Is Next On The Sexual Revolution’s Hit Parade

☩ Stella Morabito of The Federalist

The 9 Stages of Irrelevance

☩ One Mad Mom

Twitter Bans Pro-Life Accounts for Exposing Planned Parenthood Selling Aborted Baby Parts

☩ Steven Ertelt of Life News

How to Correct Some Misunderstandings About Mary

☩ Dave Armstrong of National Catholic Register

Catholic judges are not obligated to recuse themselves in capital cases

☩ Ryan Proctor of Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy

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Penitence is a Lifelong Endeavor

The end of sorrow, both natural & supernatural, is correction, change. Supernatural sorrow must wean the soul from sin & turn it to God; it must, in other words, work repentance, for to repent is to change. The punishment of sin is meant to deter from sin. It is first corrective & then penal. ☩ John A. Kane of Catholic Exchange

Why Did I Leave My Comfortable Job to Pursue Classical Art Training?

Many people would say it was crazy (& likely they were saying it). I left a very good career path that didn't entail a fraction of the risk & outright financial loss that turning down years of income in exchange for years of tuition would. And yet my wife & I weighed these realities and with a little fear, a lot of hope, support from family, & a firm will, took the leap & moved our small family up to Manchester, New Hampshire to start this foolish little enterprise. ☩ John H. Folley

You Should Want to Be a Great Saint

Do you want to be a saint? Is it arrogant or presumptuous to believe one can become a saint? ☩ Andrew Garofalo of Those Catholic Men

St. Teresa of Calcutta’s Secret to True Peace of the Human Heart, Explained by a Parish Priest

We have heard Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Peace begins with a smile.” What does that mean? ☩ Fr. Khoi Tran of ChurchPOP

This Lent, Give Up Worry

Worries. We all have them. They come in the form of finances, health, relationships and everything in between. Suffice it to say worries are a reality of life. The question is how do we deal with them? Gary Zimak has a 40-day reflection book for Lent that holds the key called Give Up Worry for Lent!: 40 Days to Finding Peace in Christ. ☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

What Is the Meaning Behind the Names of Three Archangels?

Throughout the Old & New Testament, only three divine messengers are given proper names: the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, & Raphael. . . ☩ Billy Ryan of uCatholic

“I Was Blown Away”: What Changed This Anti-Catholic’s Mind About The Faith After 30 Years

☩ ChurchPOP

What Can a Monastery Offer the Lay Faithful?

☩ Jim Graves of National Catholic Register

Six Things to Do Before Lent

☩ St. Paul Center

G.F. Bodley Inspired Gothic Revival Chasuble

☩

The Benefits & Beauties of Liturgical Repetition

Repetition in the liturgy is a profound topic, & I am under no illusions that I will be able to offer a comprehensive or definitive account of it. Rather, I would like to suggest some ways of thinking about repetition that may help us to appreciate its positive value, over against the assumptions that stood behind the far-reaching simplification of liturgical rites in the 20th century. ☩ Peter A. Kwasniewski, Ph.D., Rorate Cæli

“Yes, Lord, You Know That I Love You”

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ☩ Winston Elliott, III, National Catholic Register

Why You Should Read Church History

A good reason for reading church history is that it gives one hope, helping one navigate the stormy waters of yesterday’s news with a calm hand on the tiller. And not only does it put present turmoil into perspective, but it helps one realize that things have often been bad, but despite all the death sentences pronounced on Christians and Christianity, the church has survived… ☩ Fr. Dwight Longenecker of The Imaginative Conservative

What Are the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are “specially intended for the sanctification of the person who receives them”. . . ☩ Billy Ryan of uCatholic

Convert & Become Like Little Children

Even in simple cultures, an independent adult faces a long spiritual journey before they can live in the heart of God as a child. In our current milieu, Catholics are preoccupied with many pressing issues, so preoccupied we often overlook some of the most basic facts of how to live in the Spirit: ☩ Melanie Jean Juneau of Catholic Stand

Did Our Lady of Fatima predict the “End Times”?

Does the third secret of Fatima hold the key to what will happen when the world ends? ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

The Mystery of Near-Death Experiences, Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

Some people claim to have died & come back to life & report strange experiences of life after death. Jimmy Akin & Dom Bettinelli look at the claims, the scientific evidence, & the implications for faith of these near-death experiences. ☩ Domenico Bettinelli of the Jimmy Akin blog

Five Examples of the Thurible

☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

The Holy Spirit: Wild & Wonderful

☩ Paul Oakes of Catholic Stand

Tradition

☩ Erin Cain of Ignitum Today

The Eight Stages of the Rise & Fall of Civilizations

☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of Community in Mission via Defenders of the Catholic Faith

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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

Pope Spotlights Sexual Abuse of Nuns

The disturbing issue is now part of the Church’s broader discussion about how to curb the plague of clerical abuse. ☩ Joan Frawley Desmond of National Catholic Register

The Slow Death of Manhood, Dr. Taylor Marshall & Timothy Gordon

Dr. Taylor Marshall & Tim Gordon of the smashing TnT podcast (Taylor Marshall & co-host Tim Gordon) & YouTube channel join me to talk about the death of men & how it has affected the behavior of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. What would a resurrection of men look like? ☩ Patrick Coffin of Catholic Stand

Day 2 Abuse Summit Discussions Focus on Accountability

Cardinals Cupich & Gracias were among those who spoke Feb. 22. ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

Anything But Ordinary Time, Part I

Now the vestments are back to green. Boring, old, no-feast-day, no-solemnities green. . .That’s probably why we call it Ordinary Time in the Church because, well, it’s just ordinary, right? ☩ Cynthia Millen of Catholic Stand

Second Day of the Summit. With New Accusations Against Bergoglio, From His Argentina

. . .it is the pope himself who on the very opening day of the summit was again called to account for the protection he accorded to the Argentine Gustavo Óscar Zanchetta. . . ☩ Sandro Magister of Settimo Cielo

How a “Hidden Stigmatic” Can Help Our Embattled Priests

☩ John M Grondelski, Ph.D., of National Catholic Register

Vatican II’s Three Principles of Fundraising

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

A Brave Priest’s Powerful Response to Gay Clergy: “Nobody Forced You to Become a Priest”

☩ ChurchPOP

Key papal ally calls for reconsidering the scope of pontifical secrecy

☩ John L. Allen, Jr., of Crux

‘Protect Life Rule’ to Strip Planned Parenthood of Millions in Federal Funds

The finalized version of the rule was announced in a Feb. 22 press release from the Department of Health and Human Services. ☩ Christine Rousselle of CNA via National Catholic Register

@RobertSRoyal on the Vatican Sexual Abuse Summit #PBC2019

. . .But like many Catholic prelates, including the Holy Father, [Card. Gracias] also leaned too heavily, in my judgment, on inequities of power – the clericalism gambit – which I believe betrays a wish to make the abuse crisis into more about social justice than personal sin.. . . ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

The ‘Other’ Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church that No One is Talking About

How is it possible for bishops & priests to respect the bodies of the faithful, when some of them do not even respect the Body of the Lord? ☩ John Monaco of Medium

The mystery of the giant cross that appeared on a beach in Florida

Some debte its origin; others, the meaning of its appearance ☩ Aleteia

Fr. Thomas Rosica's alleged plagiarism is more than cheating — it's a breach of confidence

Rosica has now apologized. And it is inevitable that he will face professional consequences ☩ Mathew Block of National Post

Catholic Politicians Should Revere Holy Communion

New York’s Andrew Cuomo is a scandalous example of a pro-abortion Catholic politician who continues to receive Holy Communion. . . ☩ Birgit Jones of Catholic Stand

Why Laws Forcing a Breach in the Confessional Seal Are in No One’s Best Interest

In some jurisdictions Catholic priests are finding themselves on the horns of this very dilemma. ☩ Catherine Lafferty of National Catholic Register

Church of England: Sunday services at every church are no longer compulsory

The Church of England will no longer require its churches to hold weekly Sunday services ☩ Zelda Caldwell of Aleteia

The Saint Who Reformed Priestly Purity

☩ Steve Weidenkopf of Catholic Answers Magazine

Archbishop Viganò to participants in the Rome “summit” #PBC2019

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Are Your Hangups Holding Your Style Back?

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

Book Review: Not Much Substance ‘In the Closet of the Vatican’

☩ Andrea Gagliarducci of CNA via National Catholic Register

Diabetic Desolation

☩ Kat Larson of Ignitum Today

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"Synodality" & the Rome Abuse Summit

Despite Pope Francis’s lecture on the subject at Synod-2015, & notwithstanding the passages on it in Synod-2018’s final report, there is little agreement in twenty-first-century Catholicism on what “synodality” means. . . ☩ George Weigel of First Things

Celibacy & Priests with Same-Sex Attraction

In recent conversations concerning the Church & the priesthood, it seems that the main focus when discussing the issue of celibacy is the idea that the one who “chooses” a celibate life is one who willfully forgoes the enjoyment of sex. While this feature of celibacy is without a doubt true, looking at celibacy from this perspective is like calling men featherless bipeds. . . ☩ Ryan M. Williams, Ph.D., of Crisis Magazine

St. Peter Damian is Perfect for the Vatican Sex Abuse Summit

I find it very fitting, & one could argue that’s it’s providential, that the memorial of St. Peter Damian is falling on the first day of the Vatican’s Sex Abuse Summit. Known as the “Monitor of the Popes,” St. Peter Damian was given the authority to oversee papal households & to govern Church business. If there was ever a saint’s intercession that we needed this week, it would be the intercession of St. Peter Damian. ☩ Tom Perna of epicPew

The Secret Weapon of Evangelization

. . .when we examine the first-ever post-Pentecost act of Catholic evangelization: St. Peter’s first sermon (Acts 2:14-36). At the end of his exhortation, Peter is asked, “Brethren, what shall we do?” He answers, “Repent, & be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). In that simple answer is the invitation every Catholic evangelist should be offering: an invitation to repentance. ☩ Eric Sammons of Catholic Answers Magazine

The Great American Heresy is “I’m a Good Person”

There was a story that made the rounds recently about the parents of a young man who had committed suicide and their fury about the homily which a Catholic priest had preached at their son's funeral. . . ☩ Darwin Catholic

Correcting Father Martin, S.J.

Father Martin has done it again! On Twitter he takes the side of New York Times journalist Frank Bruni who writes about the case of a Catholic school employee who lost her job because she married her lesbian friend. . . ☩ Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Burying the Alleluia 2019

. . . at the end of Vespers of the previous Saturday, “Alleluia” is added twice to the end of “Benedicamus Domino” & “Deo gratias”, which are sung in the Paschal tone. It is then dropped from the liturgy completely until the Easter vigil. . . ☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

St. Clement of Alexandria teaches Major Donor Fundraising

3 Tips from Saint Clement's letter, "Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?" ☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

I Bet You Didn’t Know these Facts About the Bible

☩ Shaun McAfee, O.P., of epicPew

Quo Vadis: Where are the bishops & laity of old?

☩ Peter D. Beaulieu of The Catholic World Report

Evangelization in a Post-Christian Society: The Purpose of the Church

☩ Michael Gormley & David VanVickle of Ascension Press

Recent remarks by Pope Francis regarding the ‘lightness’ of “sins below the belt” are receiving various responses

☩ Edward N. Peters, J.C.D., J.D., of In the Light of the Law

Catholic Juice

☩ Ignitum Today

Are Your Hangups Holding Your Style Back?

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

The Anglican Patrimony is for All Catholics!

If you’re a Catholic, & you speak English as your native language, then you have a special heritage that you may not even be aware of. Traditional English Catholicism, lost in the Protestant world for centuries, has now been restored to the Catholic Church. It is called the “Anglican Patrimony” within the Catholic Church. . . ☩ Shane Schaetzel of Complete Christianity

The Vatican Sex Abuse Summit Will Achieve Nothing, As Intended

The Vatican summit on sex abuse is underway. It will accomplish nothing. Pope Francis has made sure of that. He has stacked its participants with close allies. Several of them were protégés of Theodore McCarrick. . . ☩ John Zmirak, Ph.D., of The Stream

Problems in Contingency II: The Argument for God From Contingency

This essay presents the argument for the existence of God from the existence of existentially contingent entities, the entities of our direct experience. ☩ Bob Drury of Catholic Stand

The Catholic Church’s 800-Year-Old Tradition of Heraldry

Every pope since the 12th century has kept this heraldic tradition going. ☩ Kevin Di Camillo of National Catholic Register

Invincible Summer: Fasting in a Dark Age

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back. (Albert Camus) ☩ Masha Goepel of Catholic Stand

Theodore McCarrick will continue to be a Catholic priest

McCarrick will still be a “priest,” although without his clerical office & its associated privileges, & in a very specific way. The reason for this lies in the Catholic understanding of priesthood. ☩ Mathew Schmalz of Crux

Is ‘Cultural Socialism’ A Thing?

(F)actors that make cultural totalitarianism feasible & attractive today. . .take seriously structural economic problems that make it attractive. . .engage in some kind of serious reforms, we’re going to end up with the real thing. ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Private Education: The Key to Educating the Poor

☩Andrew Kern of Mises Wire

Authentic Prayer is the Only Answer

☩ David Torkington of Catholic Stand

Cardinal Farrell as camerlengo: an astonishingly ill-timed announcement

☩ Philip Lawler of Catholic Culture

Harsh Reality

☩ Kat Larson of Ignitum Today

Incense Review: Catacombs

☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

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☩​ Team Catholify

Survivor on Pope Francis’s anti-abuse summit: ‘He’s (Pope Francis) gotta deliver’

One of the most outspoken survivors of clerical abuse says that he wants to see accountability for both the crime & cover-up of clerical abuse, and that if an upcoming summit fails to yield these results, Pope Francis will have failed victims. ☩ Elise Harris & John L. Allen, Jr., of Crux

Open Letter to Priests & Bishops: Resign If You Need to

Resign if Breaking Promises of Celibacy ☩ Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, L.C., of Through Catholic Lenses

When Receiving the Eucharist Becomes a Lie

Faithfully practicing Catholics often recoil at the contradictory nature of public figures’ actions and their claims of being Catholic. Especially when they continue their scandalous behavior and yet, present themselves for Holy Communion. ☩ Birgit Jones of Catholic Life In Our Times

Pray for your bishop with this short prayer

"Give him a spirit of courage & right judgment, a spirit of knowledge & love." ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

Cardinals Burke & Brandmüller: ‘End the Conspiracy of Silence’

In an open letter, the cardinals call on bishops attending this week's Vatican summit on clerical sex abuse to end their silence on moral corruption in the Church and uphold the divine and natural law. ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

Emmanual Carrère’s The Kingdom & the Limits of Imagination

Emmanuel Carrère’s lately controversial The Kingdom takes on a project of demystification: it is an imagining of how St. Luke might have joined the early Church after having met St. Paul. ☩ Patrick Malone of Catholic Stand

Facebook Erases Christian Martyrs

(Facebook) banned a post featuring a photo of the Coptic martyrs kneeling before their ISIS executioners. ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Here are St. Paul’s criteria for bishop candidates

St. Paul wanted to make sure that those chosen to be bishops were worthy of the title and responsibilities. ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

St. Clement of Alexandria teaches Major Donor Fundraising

3 Tips from Saint Clement's letter, "Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?" ☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

Join the 21-day pornography detox challenge called Strive

Matt Fradd aims to help men break free of the porn habit. ☩ Cerith Gardiner of Aleteia

Y-Chromosome Adam & Mitochondrial Eve: Is Science Confirming Genesis?

☩ Scott Smith, J.D., of All Roads Lead To Rome

Pastor Calls for National Strike February 23rd to Protest State of New York Law for Abortions Up to Birth

☩ Micaiah Bilger of Life News

Vatican’s ‘Super Bowl week’ on abuse scandals will be judged by results

☩ John L. Allen, Jr., of Crux

The Vatican restores priestly faculties to Ernesto Cardenal

☩ CNA via Catholic Herald

Problems in Contingency I: Serial Contingency & Polytheism

☩ Bob Drury of Catholic Stand

Are Your Hangups Holding Your Style Back?

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

A Reflection on Marriage: In Unity & Love

“It is not good that the man should be alone. . .” ☩ Winston Elliott, III, of National Catholic Register

Dear Gay Catholic Priest, Stop Whining

I’ve been reading about your plight in the New York Times. So let’s go ahead & clear something up right now: Most Catholics don’t. . . ☩ Jennifer Fitz of Sticking the Corners

Organist & Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey

One hardy, familiar image associated with church music is that of the organist. Stereotypically perhaps they are imagined to be quiet, slightly eccentric characters who hide themselves out of sight in lofts and galleries, only to be discovered when they begin to allow sound to escape from the mighty instrument around them. ☩ Charlotte O'Neill of Vox Humana

An Astonishing Miracle & 10 Ways to Fall Deeper in Love with Jesus

“Father, you can have my eyes. You can have anything. You can have everything!” ☩ Patti Maguire Armstrong of National Catholic Register

Socialism: Cunning Seductress for Catholics but a Deadly Plague on the Body of Christ

. . .more than half of the Catholics in Congress tout a socialist agenda, recently they seem to have made a decision to proudly bear the standard of socialism. ☩ Vicki Burbach of Pelican's Breast

Covetousness & Inequality

The argument over wealth in the U.S. quickly morphed with the Democratic takeover of the House & the start of the Democratic presidential nomination campaign. It’s not that the type of wealth at issue derived from injustice or that there are identifiable harms to wealthy individuals. Being wealthy, the suggestion now seems to be, should be a status offense. ☩ James R. Rogers, Ph.D., of Law and Liberty

The Spirit & the Law

“Since the Law has no more than a reflection of these realities, and no finished picture of them, it is quite incapable of bringing the worshipers to perfection, with the same sacrifices repeatedly offered year after year…” Heb 10:1 ☩ Nicholas Lye of Ignitum Today

The Beginning of Ambrosian Forelent

☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

Why We Can’t Change Our Soul After Death

☩ Karlo Broussard of Catholic Answers Magazine

10 Books That Reveal the Idolatrous Nature of Marxism

☩ Bruce Ashford of Christianity for the Common Good

Alas, for Days Gone Bye*: “Dear Committee Members” Reviewed

☩ Robert Kurland, Ph.D., The American Catholic

Traditions of Men

☩ Noel Ethan Tan of Ignitum Today

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☩​ Team Catholify

Vatican Sets the Stage for Abuse Summit

Cardinal Cupich & Archbishop Scicluna laid out the blueprint in a news conference Feb. 18. ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

The Rome “Summit”, “Gay” Priests, & #sodoclericalism; Wherein Fr. Z Rants - Fr. Z's Blog

You’ve probably heard that a book is timed to be released simultaneously in several languages at the beginning of the Roman episcopal “sex summit”. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

What Can You Do When Scandal Strikes The Church (Again)

Be there for the victims of abuse & don't wait for the bishops to act. . . ☩ Will Wright of Catholic Link

A Village in Russia Had No Children & Its School Was About to Close Then Something Beautiful Happened. . .

A school in the village of Shapy, in the Smolensk region of western Russia. It was on the brink of closing a dozen years' ago due to the shortage of students. Then three teachers adopted five children, and the rest of the village has followed their example. Now over 70 children ahve been adopted and the school is flourishing. ☩ Marcus Roberts of Mercatornet

Good Bishops Willingly Defy Hostile Cultural Elites

Today, our cultural elite chants an official narrative of Oppressed Sexual Minorities, Yearning for Liberation from Historic Intolerance. ☩ Joseph Woodard of Crisis Magazine

Parish Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

The Role of the Legion of Mary in Consecration ☩ Ray Sullivan of Catholic Stand

St. Clement of Alexandria teaches Major Donor Fundraising

3 Tips from Saint Clement's letter, "Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?" ☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

Is Passivity Mistaken for Piety?: On the Perils & Pitfalls of Participation

. . .the notion that laity who sit or kneel quietly at Mass & do not vocally participate are “disengaged & mute onlookers” is something of a caricature. . . ☩ Peter A. Kwasniewski, Ph.D., of New Liturgical Movement

Infidelity: One Cause for Clergy Abuse

A general definition of fidelity is having a faithfulness to beliefs, obligations, duties or observances and especially a strict adherence to vows and promises. ☩ Tom Collingwood of Catholic Stand

Why I Was Willing to Lose My Job for the Catholic Faith

☩ Matt D'Antuono of National Catholic Register

Pope Francis knew about McCarrick allegations but dismissed them, claims writer of new exposé

☩ Catholic Herald

Are Your Hangups Holding Your Style Back?

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

LA Congress Liturgical Dancing and Cardinal Mahony

Anatomy of the healing process

☩ Fr. Jerry Pokorsky of Catholic Culture

Interesting observation by @CCPecknold about laicization of McCarrick

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

The Beauty of the Extraordinary Form Comes from Tradition

. . .a response to Fr. Daniel P. Horan. . . ☩ Susanna Spencer of National Catholic Register

10 Ways Catholic Families Can Raise Atheist Children

I've worked with adults young & old for over twenty years in faith formation. I’ve seen the steps in this list below repeated time & time again with great success. If creating an atheist child is your goal as a Catholic parent, this list is for you: ☩ Troy Hinkel, Ph.D., of Shameless Popery

Catholic Charities unveils a plan to fight chronic homelessness in Southern Nevada

As part of a new nationwide program, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is hoping to reduce chronic homelessness in the area by 20 percent in the next five years. ☩ CNA via The Catholic World Report

Authentic Freedom & the Culture’s Counterfeit Offering

Conversations on morality are fueled with passion. But in they are also rooted in a great deal of misunderstanding on the idea of freedom. ☩ Allison Low of Catholic Stand

Catholic organizations scrutinize what works best in fighting poverty

Despite the latest federal estimate that the number of Americans in poverty is now below 40 million for the first time in a long time - the actual figure is 39.7 million - that still means one of every eight Americans is poor. ☩ Mark Pattison of Catholic News Service via Crux

While Bishops Meet in Rome, Catholic Colleges Celebrate Sexual Abuse

When Catholic institutions parade sexual perversion in this crisis, the crimes are compounded. ☩ Robert J. Reilly of National Catholic Register

Is King Charles I a saint?

There is good reason for thinking the king died a martyr ☩ Charles Coulombe of Catholic Herald

The Church’s Long ‘German Moment’

The Church in Germany has heavily influenced the post-conciliar era at the Vatican, most notably during the current German-friendly pontificate of Pope Francis. ☩ Fr. Raymond J. de Souza of National Catholic Register

Into the Deep

“Put out into the deep & let down your nets for a catch.” -- The Holy Gospel of St. Luke Chapter V, Verse IV ☩ Noel Ethan Tan 0f Ignitum Today

The New Bigots

Identity politics is all about dividing the world into we angels & those demons. This will not end well. Catholics in this country should be far more alarmed about this than they are, but we have too many fools, & worse, in our ranks. ☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., The American Catholic

Houston artist working on a mural at University of St. Thomas

☩ Elena Scott of Associated Press via Crux

Do We Need the SSPX?

☩ William of Cream City Catholic

The Evolution Controversy: On the Links That Are Missing

☩ Joseph Pearce of National Catholic Register

A Heavenly Game: Saint Cards – Off the Shelf 112 with David Williams

☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

Chains

☩ Jean Elizabeth Seah of Ignitum Today

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☩​ Team Catholify

Cardinal DiNardo: McCarrick ruling shows ‘no bishop is above the law of the Church’

“For all those McCarrick abused, I pray this judgment will be one small step, among many, toward healing. ☩ Catholic News Service via Catholic Herald

It Is Never Necessary to Intentionally Kill a Fetal Human Being to Save a Woman’s Life: In Support of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act provides a scientifically sound, medically accurate, and respectful approach to ensure that the innocent human being who survives an attempted abortion will be treated with the same human dignity and respect that similarly aged human beings receive in the course of good neonatal medical care. It also ensures that human beings with disabilities are not targeted for intentional killing at the moment of birth. ☩

From the Crescent to the Cross

Muslim converts to Catholicism share joyful journeys of faith. ☩ Doreen Abi Raad of National Catholic Register

Voicing ‘immense hope’ that Pope Francis will act swiftly & honestly on abuse

The meeting is a belated & embarrassing clean-up job of sexual abuse of vulnerable people by predator priests & bishops, of the abuse of power, of a disgraceful intimidation or neglect of victims, & of massive cover-ups of such abuse by leadership. ☩ Fr. Jeffrey F. Kirby of Crux

St. Clement of Alexandria teaches Major Donor Fundraising

3 Tips from Saint Clement's letter, "Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?" ☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

Archbishop Viganò offers thoughts on The Present Crisis before the Rome “Summit”

. . .We got a lot of Schillebeeckx & that sort of rubbish from a heretic. . . ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Create Space for Bishops to Take Action

Deliberation has already gone on quite long. It’s time to open up spaces to act. ☩ Robert Royal, Ph.D., of National Catholic Register

St. John Newman, Defender of the Faith

☩ Sophia Feingold of National Catholic Register

Despite defrocking, the fat lady hasn’t yet sung on the McCarrick saga

☩ John L. Allen, Jr., of Crux

Are Your Hangups Holding Your Style Back?

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

Analysis: Pope Francis’ position on Venezuela

☩ CNA via The Catholic World Report

Controversy dogs ‘assisted dying’ poll of UK doctors

☩ Michael Cook of Mercatornet

How to pregame Lent: Septuagesima, Carnival, & Shrovetide

Yesterday, Sunday, February 17 was Septuagesima Sunday, followed by Sexagesima, & Quinquagesima Sundays. Sunday kicks off Carnival season, which comes right before Shrovetide, which culminates in Shrove Tuesday – more popularly known as Mardi Gras. ☩ Mary Rezac of CNA via The Catholic World Report

McCarrick will continue to live at Kansas friary

The former Archbishop of Washington, DC, moved to there last September ☩ Christopher R. Altieri of Catholic Herald

The Tolerant Road to Hell

“Do not be so open-minded that your brains fall out,” is a quote often attributed to G.K. Chesterton ☩ Birgit Jones of Catholic Stand

Religion drives charitable giving in America

“In study after study,” says Karl Zinsmeister, “religious practice is the behavioral variable with the strongest and most consistent association with generous giving.” ☩ Joe Carter of Acton Institute

Catholic Royal Opens Center for Christian Renewal

The center is named after St. Theodore of Tarsus, a seventh-century Archbishop of Canterbury ☩ K.V. Turley of National Catholic Register

Abortion & Culpability

. . .Ramesh Ponnuru responded to a reader who criticizes opponents of abortion who express special outrage at late-term abortions. ☩ Edward Feser, Ph.D.

The New York Times Holds The Gay Catholic Party Line

When it comes to covering LGBT issues, The NYT is a propaganda sheet worth reading for the same reason that during the Cold War, one read Pravda: to get the ruling class’s party line. ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Becoming Saints in a Time of Scandal & Crisis

In responding to the present crisis and scandal in the Church, I believe it is possible to experience both righteous anger & godly sorrow & yet maintain a healthy detachment. . . ☩ Jonathan Coe of The Imaginative Conservative

Catholics Who Favor Theocracy Are Imitating Not Christ but the Muslim Brotherhood

For some years I watched in alarm as Catholics abandoned the only good thing to emerge from the liturgical of Vatican II, the Church’s return to its ancient embrace of religious freedom. ☩ John Zmirak, Ph.D., of The Stream

How Is Adam’s Sin Different From Eve’s?

Biblically, original sin is Adam’s sin, not Eve’s (cf Rom 5:12 inter al) ☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of Community in Mission

Book Received: 1962 Parish Ritual, Huzzah!

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

What’s the difference between abortion & infanticide?

☩ Justin Dyer of Mercatornet

Altar Serving is For Boys Because Saying Mass is a Man’s Job

☩ Jason Craig of Those Catholic Men

The LGBT agenda that is tearing a school apart

☩ Chris McGovern of Mercatornet

What does “poor in spirit” mean?

☩ Daniel Esparza of Aleteia

How Bingo Took Over Catholic Parish Halls

☩ Angelo Stagnaro of National Catholic Register

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☩​ Team Catholify

This heroine of Ecuador lived on nothing but the Eucharist

Often compared to Rose of Lima, she lived her piety and mortification from home. ☩ Larry Peterson of Aleteia

Is Your Heart Full of Joy?

The blood of the Lamb has redeemed us, the Holy Spirit is with us. Do we have joy? ☩ Winston Elliott, III, National Catholic Register

The Essence Of Detachment

O Lord, why should the idea of total detachment frighten me since it is the means of finally arriving at loving You with all my heart, with all my soul, & with all my strength, since it is the path which leads me to union with You, infinite beauty & charity, Triune God, the beginning & end of all things? ☩ Burke of Catholic Spiritual Direction

Finding Fulfillment & Joy as a Religious

Often people wonder how someone can find fulfillment as a consecrated religious without having a family, being a wife or husband, a mother or a father. How can anyone find personal fulfillment when they can’t even make all of their own decisions? Yet, as I stumbled along in my vocation, I have found fulfillment as a religious precisely because my rule set me free to dedicate my life to God, without attachment even to my own future plans. ☩ Sister Christina M. Neumann of Catholic Stand

Five Ways to Practice Forgiveness

The renowned English poet Alexander Pope stated: “To err is human; to forgive is divine.” How true this statement, but how difficult it can be! Holding on to resentment indeed is interior slavery. Whereas, to forgive is truly imitating God Himself, but also setting the captive free and that captive is me. ☩ Fr. Ed Broom, O.M.V., of Catholic Exchange

The Danger of Pride & the Power of Humility

Jesus is the model of perfect humility, and punishment for pride is built into the very order of God’s creation. ☩ Fr. William Casey of Catholic Exchange

Intriguing Biblical Analogies to Eucharistic Adoration

“The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” ☩ Dave Armstrong of National Catholic Register

The Ad Orientum & Versus Populum Orientations of the Catholic Mass

I talk about the orientation of the Catholic Mass ☩ David L. Gray of DavidLGray.info

This Video Will Change the Way You Think About Catholic Priesthood

☩ Chloe Langr of epicPew

Why leading a virtuous life is the key to happiness

☩ Michael Warren Davis of Catholic Herald

Tall orders for husbands: Chrysostom spells out what loving your wife is all about

☩ Kathleen N. Hattrup of Aleteia

There’s something about Mary

☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

Before & After: The Positive Impact of Basic Ornamental Designs

☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

More Tips to Promote a Strong Marriage

Wisdom from Matt and Mindy Dalton, Peter and Cynthia Lemieux, and Edward Trendowski ☩ Jim Graves of National Catholic Register

To Understand The Entire Bible, Begin At The Beginning

God’s redemptive plan charted throughout Genesis and Exodus are the thematic and theological bases for the rest of the Bible. . . ☩ Guy McClung, Ph.D., J.D., of Catholic Stand

Choral Divine Liturgy in New York City, March 10

St Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in New York City will present the second part of its ongoing program of classical Slavic Church music on Sunday, March 10, at 6:00 p.m. . . ☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

Embracing The Cross, Suffering’s Redemptive Role In Our Salvation (On Suffering, Part II of III)

Suffering is part of life and the frustration over not understanding its place in our world can lead to anger and even despair. Yet, if we seek to understand suffering we can glimpse – if only briefly due to our human limitations– the beauty of suffering and its redemptive role in our salvation. ☩ Steffani Jacobs of Catholic Stand

Timely Read: ‘Morality Needs . . . Saints to Uncover Moral Laws’

Book Pick: Matters of Life & Death ☩ Donald DeMarco of National Catholic Register

Spiritual Résumé

I have officially been at my new job for a week, and I have fallen in love with it. ☩ Kat Larson of Ignitum Today

How to Name Your Catholic Baby

In a classroom full of Baylynns and Apples, former standbys like Mary and John are now unusual, if not downright subversive. ☩ Todd Agliarlo of Catholic Answers Magazine

The Surprising Little-Known Story Behind St. Thérèse’s Famous Joan of Arc Photo

☩ ChurchPOP

How Do We Welcome the Stranger in our Midst When We’re Afraid?

☩ Janet Meyer of Catholic Stand

Toward the Light

☩ Erin Cain of Ignitum Today

Is Faith Alone the Basis for the Final Judgment?

☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

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☩​ Team Catholify

Investigation Confirms Covington Students Didn’t Instigate Confrontation

‘Our students were placed in a situation that was at once bizarre and even threatening,’ stated Bishop Roger Foys. ☩ CNA/EWTN News via National Catholic Register

This Slave Became America’s First African-American Priest

The odds were stacked against Augustus Tolton. He was born into slavery, his father died when he was young, he lived in poverty, and was denied access to every Catholic seminary in America. But despite the hardships he experienced, Tolton went on to become the first African-American priestLangr of epicPew

Therapist, Exorcists Comment on Satanic Catholic Priest

Pray for our priests. They need our prayers, and we need them to bring us the sacraments and shepherd us. ☩ Patti Maguire Armstrong of National Catholic Register

Why Valentine’s Day Is Named After a Saint

With the bustle associated with Valentine’s Day we often forget that February 14 is about love. True love, that is. We also forget that it is the celebration of the martyrdom of a saint who points the way to true love. ☩ Fr. John A. Perricone of Crisis Magazine

Quæritur: During a sick call, tea & biscuits before administering Communion

When a priest arrives at a sick person’s house in order to provide Communion, should the Communion rite happen immediately upon arrival? ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

While Vatican Meets, Catholic Colleges Celebrate Sexual Abuse

When Catholic institutions parade sexual perversion and abuse onstage in the midst of this crisis, the crimes are compounded. ☩ Patrick J. Reilly of National Catholic Register

In the countdown to the summit, abuse scandals rock pope’s native Argentina

As a Feb. 21-24 Vatican summit on the protection of minors approaches, ferment related to clerical sexual abuse continues to percolate in Pope Francis’s native Argentina. ☩ Inés San Martín of Crux

Do you know priests who are struggling, under attack? Terrific movement: Seven Sisters Apostolate

. . . there is one thing that lay people can do… especially lay women… which will be of enormous value in the coming days. . . ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

How Africa is converting China

☩ Christopher Rhodes of UnHerd

Sins of Omission: The Abusive PA Clergy Abuse Report

☩ Paul Kengor of Crisis Magazine

Choose Red to express your Catholic Faith this Valentine's Day

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

The Lenten Veil, by Henri de Villiers

☩ Aelredus Rievallensis of Canticum Salomonis

“The Culture of Death,” The Suicide of the West*: Abortion, Infanticide, Euthanasia

☩ Robert Kurland, Ph.D., of Catholic Stand

Pope Francis to Canonize Blessed John Henry Newman, Declares Cardinal Mindszenty Venerable

The Vatican announces major advances in the causes of the famous 19th century English theologian and convert from Anglicanism, and the 20th century heroic Hungarian cardinal who stood up to fascism and communism. ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

From Beijing 2008 to Beijing 2022: Should We Boycott China’s Winter Olympics?

Senator Marco Rubio, co-chair of the U.S. Congressional Executive Commission on China, is pressuring the International Olympic Committee asking that the city of Beijing be deprived of the hosting rights for the 2022 Winter Olympics games. Rubio argues that the gross violations of human rights in China, particularly in the field of religious liberty, are incompatible with the Olympic spirit. ☩ Massimo Introvigne of Bitter Winter

Archbishop McCarrick Might Be ‘Laicized’ This Week: What Does that Mean?

What does it mean to be ‘laicized,’ ‘defrocked’ or ‘dismissed from the clerical state’? ☩ J.D. Flynn, J.C.L., of CNA via National Catholic Register

Diocese of Gallup Moves to ‘Restored Order’ of Baptism, Confirmation, & Eucharist

Bishop James Wall announced the decision in a new pastoral letter, saying the sacrament of Confirmation at a younger age will strengthen Catholic youth to live out heroic witness. ☩ CNA/EWTN News via National Catholic Register

When Jesus Said He Was God

“Jesus never claimed to be God” . . . The assertion is false. Jesus did, in fact, make divine claims about himself ☩ Matt Nelson of Catholic Answers Magazine

What Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Could Learn from G.K. Chesterton

Once in power, democratic socialists cease to be democratic. ☩ Chuck Chalberg, Ph.D., of Foundations for Economic Freedom

Social Justice = Cultural Socialism

As I’ve said, I agree that it is possible, in theory, to have more economically “socialist” policies (e.g., a stronger welfare state) without accepting the woke agenda. But in reality, this is not on the table with the Democratic Party. ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

A Cimabue Inspired Italian Crucifix

☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

“Know also this, that, in the last days, shall come dangerous times.”

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Apocalypse 2019? We Have Been Here Before

☩ Lawrence P. Grayson of National Catholic Register

Why Bullying Chris Pratt Into Denouncing His Church Won’t Make Ellen Page Happy

☩ Nathanael Blake of The Federalist

Pope Benedict XV Teaches How To Fundraise

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

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☩​ Team Catholify

McCarrick may be sanctioned, but the cover-up continues

According to multiple reliable sources in Rome, former cardinal Theodore McCarrick will soon be laicized—defrocked—in punishment for multiple instances of sexual misconduct. ☩ Philip Lawler of Catholic Culture

How Tech Giants are Banning True Speech About Biological Sex

Twitter’s latest move against free thought came in the form of a ban on “misgendering” and “deadnaming.” This essentially means users who use pronouns and names that align with a person’s biology rather than their professed gender identity will be punished. ☩ Emilie Kao of The Stream

Exhortation Alone Won’t Help Others Grow in Their Faith

An exhortation to develop an interior life or to deepen one’s relationship with Jesus—is, in and of itself, good. Yet, simply attempting to persuade someone to pray or develop a deeper, more routine prayer life is not enough. ☩ Dom Cingoranelli of Catholic Stand

How did Joseph & Mary meet Before getting married?

Did they fall in love? ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

As a McCarrick verdict looms, the Vatican still faces rough waters

With just weeks to go, there is no clear statement—because there does not appear to be any clear vision—of the nature or the scope of the meeting of the world’s episcopal leadership on clerical sex abuse. ☩ Christopher R. Altieri of The Catholic World Report

Involuntary Euthanasia of 34 Elderly Patients in Ohio Catholic Hospitals Unreported

What may turn out to be one of the biggest crimes in US history is being ignored ☩ Michael Cook of Mercatornet

Socialism versus the family

I gave a talk at the Heritage Foundation on the topic “Socialism versus the Family”. . . ☩ Edward Feser, Ph.D.

Pope Francis’s Candid Views on Sexual Morality

Just weeks before the Catholic Church’s summit on the sexual abuse crisis, the faithful became privy to Pope Francis’s rather unorthodox views on sexual morality. In a book length interview with Frenchman Dominque Wolton. . . ☩ Richard A. Spinello of Crisis Magazine

Crushing the Poor: Agricultural Tariffs & Subsidies

. . .groups advocate for the provision of what the material poor often lack. But this deficit of material goods, what we typically call “poverty,” is symptomatic of larger problems. ☩ Andrew Vanderput of Powerblog via Acton Institute

Spokane’s Plain-Spoken Shepherd Makes Waves

☩ Joan Frawley Desmond of National Catholic Register

LGBT Activists Teaching Judges To Yank Kids From Parents Who Won’t Transgender Them

☩ Margot Cleveland of The Federalist

Another look at Catholic/Islamic statement: “diversity of religions . . . are willed by God in His wisdom”

☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Choose Red to express your Catholic Faith this Valentine's Day

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling

The “Experience” of Modernism

☩ Jeffrey Tranzillo, Th.D., of Homiletic & Pastoral Review

How Ethiopia’s churches are reviving forests & restoring biodiversity

☩ Joseph Sunde of Powerblog via Acton Institute

As population plummets, Hungary to end income tax for moms of at least four

In an effort to encourage Hungarians to have more babies, the prime minister of the country has announced that women with four children or more will be exempt from paying income tax for life. ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Cardinal Kasper Says Bible Spreads ‘Confusion’ & ‘Division’ (Warning: Satire)

Just days after Cardinal Müller published a “Manifesto of Faith,” which reiterated fundamental Catholic teachings in response to what he sees as growing confusion about the doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Kasper has accused him of making “unacceptable blanket statements.” ☩ Eye of the Tiber

Socialism In Three Acts

. . .the underlying faith of the Green New Deal is a faith in the guiding wisdom of the political elite. The authors of the Green New Deal assume that technocratic planners can master the movements of 328 million Americans and design a transportation system so that “air travel stops becoming necessary.” (This is from people who couldn’t even organize the successful release of their own background document.) ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Classical Education Is the Answer to De-Hellenization

. . .So why do we need a new Hellenization before we can have a New Evangelization. . . ☩ Mo Waltering of Homiletic & Pastoral Review

New York Archdiocese Responds to Cardinal Spellman Groping Allegation

Lucian K. Truscott IV, a longtime journalist & writer, made the claims. . . ☩ Kevin Jones of Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

AOC's Green New Deal Is a U.S. Version of Mao’s Disastrous Great Leap Forward

Support for this proposal demonstrates a profound ignorance of even basic economic concepts. ☩ William L. Anderson, Ph.D., of Foundations for Economic Freedom

The Wayward Daughters

. . .the abuse & disuse of Side Chapels & what they are actually for. . . They were never meant to send a political message. . . ☩ Haley Stewart of Church Life Journal

Did a 19th Century Nun Prophesy Today’s Persecuted Church? The Little-Known Revelations of Venerable Mary Potter

“We live in perilous times; we are surrounded by dangers and temptations almost unparalleled in the history of the world. ☩ Georgette Bechara of ChurchPOP

The Necessity of Rituals

☩ Carolyn Humphreys, O.C.D.S., of Homiletic & Pastoral Review

In the interests of transparency. . .

☩ Philip Lawler of Catholic Culture

Pope Benedict XV Teaches How To Fundraise

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

The Wayward Daughters

☩ Haley Stewart of Church Life Journal

“Wasted” Life?

☩ Nicholas Lye of Ignitum Today

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