Robert Edwards

Living a Catholic life.

EASTER SVNDAY EDITION

Do I Need A Spiritual Director To Help Me To Know Where I Am Spiritually? – Video – Dan Burke at C. Spiritual Direction
How to make a good apology – Luz Ivonne Ream &Matthew Green at Aleteia
Famed Australian Atheist, Bill Hayden, is Baptized in the Catholic Church at 85 – Steve Ray at Defenders of the Catholic Faith
“Top Down to Jesus,” Redux; An Old Jewish Physicist Converts – Robert Kurland, Ph.D., at Catholic Stand
The Resurrection of Jesus – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World – Domenico Bettinelli at JimmyAkin.com
Coast-to-Coast Total Consecration To Jesus Through Mary – Dom Cingoranelli at Catholic Stand
Our Lady appeared to this saint, & allowed her to hold & caress Baby Jesus – Larry Peterson at Aleteia
A secular Jew makes a surprising discovery about Christians and American slavery – John B. Carpenter at Acton Commentary
Scholars say new findings in Dead Sea Scrolls add dimension to holy days – Neil Altman at Crux
11 Amazing Facts I Just Learned About Benedict XVI’s Childhood – Shaun McAfee, O.P., at National Catholic Register
Pro Divine Mercy from a Rad-Trad – Fr. David Nix at Pilgrim Priest
Abe Lincoln’s Letter to His ‘Great and Good Friend,’ Pope Pius IX – Kathy Schiffer at National Catholic Register
Scared Mom Places Her Newborn in a Safe Haven Baby Box, Now The Baby Has a Loving Adopted Family – Monica Kelsey
Despite Challenges, US Home Schooling Grows & Gains Acceptance – Susan Klemond at National Catholic Register
Notre-Dame weathervane comes home to roost – Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report
The Happy Death of a Good Man – Richard G. Evans at Catholic Stand
A quick guide to addressing Catholic clergy & religious – Philip Kosloski at Aleteia
Uniting the Clans: Why All Traditional Catholics Must Work Together – Shane Schaetzel at Complete Christianity
What is an acolyte in the Catholic Church? – Philip Kosloski at Aleteia
Caesar’s Enduring Influence on Western Civilization – David G. Bonagura, Jr., at Crisis Magazine

EASTER SVNDAY EDITION Read More »

HOLY SATVRDAY EDITION

Pope Francis’ Easter Vigil Homily 2019 — Full Text – Edward Pentin at National Catholic Register
The Exsultet – explained, translated, sung – Fr. Z’s Blog
The Easter Vigil Sheds Light — Ever Ancient, Ever New — on the Pascal Celebration – Joseph O’Brien at N.C. Register
How Long Was Jesus in the Tomb? Another Contradiction? – Steve Ray at Defenders of the Catholic Faith
Where Is Jesus Between His Death & Resurrection? – Msgr. Charles Pope at Community in Mission
Why Holy Saturday has always been a day of prayer & silence – Philip Kosloski at Aleteia
12 Things You Need to Know About Holy Saturday – Jimmy Akin at National Catholic Register
Saint of the Day Quote: Blessed Robert Watkinson – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic
A Tale of Two Cities’ Cathedrals – K.V. Turley at National Catholic Register
Where Do the Traditions of the Easter Bunny & Eggs Come From? – ChurchPOP
What You Should Know About ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ – Patti Maguire Armstrong at National Catholic Register
Peruvian archbishop urges calm after ex-president kills himself – Catholic News Service at Crux
The Cruel Selfishness of Rebuilding Notre Dame? – Jennifer Fitz at Sticking the Corners

HOLY SATVRDAY EDITION Read More »

GOOD FRIDAY EDITION

GOOD FRIDAY EDITION Read More »

MAVNDY THVRSDAY EDITION

Christianity grows in Syrian town once besieged by Islamic State – John Davison at Reuters
Vatican enhances Catholic Ordinariate for Anglicans norms – Christopher Mahon at The Anglicanorum. . .
Search No More – Pete Socks at Catholic Stand
Fr. James V. Schall, S.J., has died at the age of 91 – Carl E. Olson at The Catholic World Report
Journalist Offers an Inside View of Venezuela on the Brink of Collapse – Peter Jesserer Smith at N.C. Register
China Destroyed Uighur Notre Dame – Rod Dreher at The American Conservative
Legally Right Versus Morally Right – Tom Collingwood at Catholic Stand
Between the Two Popes There Is “Fracture.” The Silence of Francis Against Benedict – Sandro Magister. . .
Cardinal Mueller: No rift between Francis & Benedict – Claire Giangrave at Crux
Dispute over Papal Foundation’s $25 million grant approval continues – Catholic News Agency via The. . .
A Message to Mayor Pete from a Latina Mama: Don’t Force Your Sexual Ideology on Me & My Children – A. Samuel, Ph.D.
God Made Me This Way, So I Cannot Sin – Guy McClung, J.D., Ph.D., at The American Catholic

MAVNDY THVRSDAY EDITION Read More »

Repairing Notre-Dame

Here’s the genius invention, a Robot-Firefightler, that helped save the interior of Notre-Dame

Built with the help of French fire fighters, it's Colossus the robot pompier! ☩ Cerith Gardiner at Aleteia

Video: Interior of #NotreDame after the fire, Whew!

. . .It could have been a LOT worse. . . ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

The Cathedral As Cube

I am very, very eager to donate money to rebuild the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. But I am not giving a dime for this. . . ☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

“Wake Up, Brothers!” A Prophetic Warning at Notre Dame From the Future Pope Pius XII

Two years before he became pope, Cardinal Pacelli told a Paris gathering to avoid the “gesture of Lucifer,” and declared that it is the “substance of Christianity, the very substance of religion, that is at stake.” ☩ Edward Pentin at National Catholic Register

Did the Risen Jesus Appear in Notre-Dame’s Flames? . . .Or is it Our Lady?

News circulated this morning about a young woman allegedly seeing Jesus’ silhouette in the Notre Dame Cathedral Fire’s flames. ☩ ChurchPOP

Restore Notre-Dame as the Spiritual Center of Paris

. . .Surrounded by pain and tremendous loss, a choice awaits the French and all of us. . . ☩ Joseph & Marie Meaney at Crisis Magazine

“The Organ Lives!”: Notre-Dame’s Monstrous Organ Survives Fire – Listen to it Here!

. . .why is this instrument listed among the treasures of Notre Dame. . . ☩ ChurchPOP

A look at what was saved, what was lost in Notre-Dame fire

More than simply an iconic cathedral & jewel of Gothic architecture, Notre Dame was a treasure trove, housing priceless & irreplaceable marvels of immense religious, artistic, musical, historical & architectural value. ☩ Associated Press via Crux

Rebuilding History: How 21st-Century Tech Can Save Medieval Notre-Dame

Meticulous laser scans will likely become vital in the years of rebuilding ahead. ☩ Tim Newcomb at Popular Mechanics

The History Behind the “Forest” That Burned in the Notre-Dame Cathedral Roof

The timber was used to construct what is known affectionately by historians as “the forest,” the hulking lattice of woodwork that formed the roof and frame of the Notre-Dame. Some 1,300 oak trees from over 50 acres of forest were felled in its construction. . . ☩ uCatholic

Catholic France in the End Times, Great French Monarch & Our Lady of La Salette

France is the "Eldest Daughter of the Church" & yet also the most rebellious. . . ☩ Taylor Marshall, Ph.D., & Timothy Gordon, J.D., at TnT

Repairing Notre-Dame Read More »

SPY VVEDNESDAY EDITION

Church in Syria suffers ‘bleeding wound’ of emigration

The number of Christians in Aleppo, Syria, fell dramatically during the civil war, from 180,000 before the war to 32,000 today. Maronite Archbishop Joseph Tobji of Aleppo is the shepherd of a small community of about 400 families. He recently spoke with Aid to the Church in Need. ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Adopting Inclusion for Families of Faith

Religious Freedom isn’t a “fringe” issue — but try convincing NBC. The outlet’s latest puff piece on LGBT parents is a typical one-sided angle on adoption — but maybe that’s the scary part. Because for all the attention they seem to give it, there’s always one theme that seems to be missing: the children. ☩ Tony Perkins at The Stream

Knights CEO says Iran-backed militias threaten Iraq’s religious minorities

In an April 12 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, the CEO of the Knights of Columbus said that “Christian towns in Iraq increasingly look neither Christian nor Iraqi — but Iranian.” ☩ Catholic News Service

Doug Bock Clark writes beautifully on a sorrowful topic in North Korean life

Doug Bock Clark has written an amazing report for those who care about North Korea refugees & how Christianity has driven one man to help them. ☩ Douglas LeBlanc at Get Religion

The Contradictions of Mayor Pete Buttigieg

Moving from political obscurity as the gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to the media’s flavor-of-the-month Democratic presidential candidate, Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced last week that his campaign has raised over $7 million since launching his exploratory committee in January. . . ☩ Anne Hendershott at Crisis Magazine

8 Saints Whose Feasts Fall During Holy Week

☩ Brian O'Neal at National Catholic Register

Easter in Jail: The Travesty of the Pell Case

☩ George Weigel at The Catholic World Report

Notre-Dame Survives!

☩ Big Pulpit

Why One-Third Of Biologists Now Question Darwinism

Dedicated Neo-Darwinists often say ‘no serious scientists disagree’ with Darwinism, or ‘only creationists have problems.’ These contentions are increasingly disproven. ☩ Benjamin R. Dierker at The Federalist

How Rod Dreher’s ‘Benedict Option’ misunderstands Christian liberalism

Rod Dreher is once again exasperated. He is frustrated by a rumor that George Weigel hasn’t bought the tireless promotion of his ‘Benedict Option’ ☩ Dan Hugger at Acton Institute Powerblog

Australian Rugby Star Gets Sacked, Multi-Million Dollar Contract Canceled, After Posting a Christian Message on Instagram

Australian star rugby player Israel “Izzy” Folau has done it again. . . ☩ Nancy Flory at The Stream

How the Pill Could Affect Your Choice of Mate, & the Health of Your Future Children, Too

It may be affecting more than you think. ☩ Grace Emily Stark at Verily

Martin Luther’s Exceptionally “Catholic” Devotion to Mary

Luther’s Mariology is (ironically) closer to that of the Catholic Church today than to the modern-day Lutheranism. ☩ Dave Armstrong at National Catholic Register

Religious liberty setback at court may not be final

Religious liberty's latest setback at the U.S. Supreme Court in its ongoing face-off with sexual liberty is disappointing but may not prove conclusive, Southern Baptist religious freedom advo ☩ Tom Strode at Baptist Press

Our Culture Celebrates What Angels Weep Over, But This Takes the Cake

“Legitimate intentions on the part of the spouses do not justify recourse to morally unacceptable means (for example, direct sterilization or contraception).” (CCC 239 ☩ Brianna Heldt at National Catholic Register

A Smokeless Cathedral Burn

☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

Honor, Endurance, & Lent

☩ Christian Deru at Catholic Stand

Fr. Raymond Thomas de Saint-Laurent, Confidence, & How to Fundraise

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

Coffee Evangelization

☩ Tasman & Jean Westbury at Ignitum Today

SPY VVEDNESDAY EDITION Read More »

Notre-Dame Survives!

The tragic hope of the flames of Notre Dame

. . .And yet there are not only red but silver linings in this cloud of smoke. ☩ Jeffrey A. Mirus, Ph.D., at Catholic Culture

Notre-Dame de Paris: A Supernatural Intervention of the Mother of God for France?

This night was not made for sleeping. ☩ Fr. Guillaume de Menthière at Rorate Cæli

Notre Dame’s Destruction Is The Monumental Loss Of An Acoustic Treasure

Anonymous IV worked at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in the 1270s, & wrote descriptively about the vibrant music he experienced there. ☩ Jeff Held at The Federalist

Notre-Dame, France's Parish

No doubt, Notre-Dame will be repaired, just as countless other European wonders have been restored following fire, storms, sieges, and wars. . . ☩ Samuel Gregg, D.Phil., at First Things

Notre-Dame de Paris: Jewel of France

Far more than just a house of worship, Notre Dame is one of the most significant buildings in the world. It has stood at the very center of French and indeed all European history for close to a millennia. ☩ John Paul Sonnen at Liturgical Arts Journal

Notre Dame: Was It Arson?

I didn’t blog or tweet about the terrible fire at Notre Dame yesterday because I was traveling, but I’ve also learned not to make instant remarks about breaking news events when all the facts aren’t in. Looking back on some of the comments about Notre Dame being “utterly destroyed” makes one cringe. ☩ Fr. Dwight Longenecker

A Historical Timeline of Notre Dame Cathedral

In light of the recent tragic fire, here’s a look at the incredible history surrounding the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France ☩ Alex R. Hey at epicPew

Notre-Dame Survives! Read More »

HOLY TVESDAY EDITION

Ten Ways to Meditate on Christ’s Passion

The following are ten helpful suggestions so that we can at least start to plumb the depths of the love of Jesus who died on Good Friday for love of you and for me and for the salvation of my immortal soul! ☩ Fr. Ed Broom, O.M.V., at Catholic Exchange

Pope Francis Honors Film Composer Ennio Morricone

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi to present the Oscar-winning composer with a Pontifical Gold Medal for his “extraordinary artistic work in the sphere of music.” ☩ Edward Pentin at National Catholic Register

China & the Catholic Church —  Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

The thousand-year history and present state of affairs offer a mixture of hope and concern. ☩ Joseph O'Brien at National Catholic Register

Why the Notre Dame Fire Pierces Our Hearts

Notre Dame was built over an almost 200-year period. Generations of people came and went, investing their days in this life for the sake of a project, the fulfillment of which they knew they would not live to see. ☩ Noelle Mering at Off The Cuff

Inflated Ego Syndrome and the Hazards of Celebrity

Commentary: When a self-confident public persona follows a person into ordinary life, trouble usually erupts. Instead, give credit where it is due. Be grateful. ☩ Jennifer Roback Morse at National Catholic Register

The Hidden Wound of Christ

☩ Rick Yoder at The Amish Catholic

From the Ashes of Notre-Dame

☩ Ross Douthat at The New York Times

Benedict’s Essay: The Voice of a True Father

Why the uproar from some Catholic pundits regarding the recently released essay on the abuse crisis from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI? ☩ Jim Russell at Crisis Magazine

Cardinal Sarah & the Sunset of the West

Cardinal Robert Sarah’s new book offers a bracing assessment of the state of Western culture, seeking to awaken Western societies to the truth about themselves. ☩ Samuel Gregg, D.Phil., at The Catholic World Report

The global population inversion

The age pyramid is starting to flip. ☩ Marcus Roberts at Mercatornet

Twitter Refuses to Submit to Independent Audit After Censoring Pro-Life Accounts

A Twitter executive appeared to punt after Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley asked him Wednesday during a congressional testimony whether the company would be willing to submit to an independent political audit. ☩ Chris White at Life News

A Remedy for the Catechetical Poverty of Our Time

Amidst the divisions & frustrations that mark the Church of our time, there are, quietly dispersed throughout the Mystical Body, clergy & laymen striving for the recovery & promotion of the Apostolic Faith. ☩ Christian Browne at Crisis Magazine

Students Lead Anti-Pornography Initiatives at Catholic Colleges

The Catholic University of America’s student government association has asked the college administration to block sexually explicit sites on the university’s wireless network. ☩ Stephen Beale at National Catholic Register

“The Tinder Generation.” Shocking Figures Show Pregnant 20-Somethings Killing 1 in 3 Babies in Abortions

Statistics released by the British government this week show a tragic rise in abortions among young women. ☩ Micaiah Bilger at Life News

Facebook’s New Policy is Not About ‘Standing Up to Hate’

Facebook’s campaign of anti-ProLife censorship just took another step forward. ☩ Ken Blackwell at The Stream

Subject of pro-life movie ‘Unplanned” defends her conversion story against investigative journalist

Former Planned Parenthood clinic director says reporter got his information from the abortion lobby, not the health department. ☩ John Burger at Aleteia

Fr. Raymond Thomas de Saint-Laurent, Confidence, & How to Fundraise

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

Unplanned: A Review of a Review

☩ The American Catholic

Death of the Son

☩ Noel Ethan Tan at Ignitum Today

HOLY TVESDAY EDITION Read More »

Notre-Dame Cathedral Conflagration Aftermath

Structure of Notre-Dame saved after major fire

Shortly after midnight Tuesday, firefighters said the main structure of Notre-Dame de Paris, the city’s cathedral, had been preserved from collapse. ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Vatican expresses “shock & sorrow” over Notre Dame fire

People gather to pray and sing hymns as firefighters continue to battle flames at one of Europe’s most historic churches. ☩ Catherine Harmon at The Catholic World Report

Are We Too Primitive to Rebuild Notre Dame?

I stood there in the crowd on the street, watching the flames eat away the wooden supports of the Gothic tower. . . ☩ John Zmirak, Ph.D., at The Stream

The Passion of Notre Dame—Why it Matters

The passion of Notre Dame matters not just for Paris, nor just for France, nor for those who merely love beauty. It matters for our Judaeo-Christian civilization. ☩ Fr. Hugh Somerville-Knapman, O.S.B., at Dominus Mihi Adjutor

See inside the fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral

Photos taken at Notre Dame Cathedral offer a glimpse inside the cathedral's sanctuary and roof structure, offering some hope — but a newly-released aerial image of the roof show widespread damage. ☩ Associated Press via San Francisco Gate

An early Alleluia for the vaulting of #NotreDame - It Held!

The wooden roof over the stone vaulting of the nave of Notre-Dame of Paris burned & the great spire came down. But the vaulting held! Only a small part came down. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

What Notre Dame means to Catholics

It was early in the afternoon of Monday in Holy Week, as John Carol Case was singing the "Was wollt ihr mir geben?" of Judas on my turntable, that I first saw the images of Notre-Dame de Paris burning. . . ☩ Matthew Walther at The Week

Litany of the French Saints

In the wake of recent tragic events, here is a litany to the saints of France. May they pray for us, for France, & for the faithful of that great nation. . . ☩ Rick Yoder at The Amish Catholic

Why Couldn’t They Put Out the Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral?

Firefighters stood helpless to stem the blaze Monday at Notre Dame Cathedral, likely because of Gothic engineering techniques that waterproofed the roof, consigning it to destruction. ☩ Joshua Gill at The Daily Signal

5 things to know about the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris

Catholics around the world watched with horror as the roof of Cathedrale Notre-Dame was engulfed with flames on Monday afternoon. The blaze began shortly after the church closed for visitors, and everyone was evacuated safely, though the entirety of the roof collapsed into the church. ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

How the French Author Victor Hugo Saved Notre Dame

Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world. But if it wasn’t for one French literary legend, Victor Hugo, and his best-selling book then its breath-taking legacy may well have vanished forever. ☩ Jade Cuttle at culture trip

Photos: The Great Holy Week Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral

☩ The Editors at National Catholic Register

As Notre Dame Burns, Glimpses of Hope, History & Heroes

☩ Alyssa Murphy at National Catholic Register

The History of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Notre-Dame Cathedral Conflagration Aftermath Read More »

HOLY MONDAY EDITION

The Restoration & Dedication of St Catherine Parish in Trumbull, CT

St Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull, Connecticut, recently completed a restoration, in which the sanctuary was redesigned, a new altar of sacrifice was created, and the tabernacle was relocated to the center of the church. ☩ Gregory DiPippo at New Liturgical Movement

A Stable New Dystopia

Reader Pacopond shared this e-mail from a friend of his, a brilliant (he says) older lawyer talking about the changes he has seen in young people coming to work at his firm ☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

3 Mental health benefits of fasting, according to Thomas Aquinas

Research has shown there are great physical benefits to going without food, but the practice also does a lot more for us. ☩ Fr. Michael Rennier at Aleteia

Is  Wearing a Veil Still Required of Catholic Women?

The veil is not, however, seen often in Holy Mass celebrated in the Ordinary Form or Novus Ordo Mass. Yet, some women like myself feel drawn to the devotion. Although some parishes have a mix of those who do and those who do not, veiling can sometimes lead to a bit of contentious misunderstanding. ☩ Birgit Jones at Catholic Stand

Bel and the Dragon in the Liturgy of Lent

On the Tuesday of Passion week, the Epistle of the Mass is traditionally the episode of the book of Daniel known as “Bel & the Dragon”. . .a portion of the Prayer is read as the Epistle on Thursday of this week; the Song is one of the most commonly used canticles in all historical Christian liturgies, known from its opening word in Latin as the Benedicite. ☩ Gregory DiPippo at New Liturgical Movement

Why Priests Should Teach in Schools

☩ Fr. Dominic Bouck at National Catholic Register

George Weigel, John Paul II, & What We Need Now

☩ Peter Wolfgang at The Stream

Fr. Raymond Thomas de Saint-Laurent, Confidence, & How to Fundraise

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

The Arguments You Never Hear for Capital Punishment

It would be understandable if Catholics and the public at large believed that the death penalty’s existence depended solely on its effectiveness in protecting society as a kind of self-defense measure. . . ☩ Paul Kniaz at Catholic Stand

Nice Liberal Christians Like Peter Buttigieg Appear as Angels of Light

The biggest threat to religious liberty for Christians in America isn’t terrorists from ISIS. Nor Islamists in Congress like Rep. Ilhan Omar. Or international secularists like George Soros. Nor even the hit men and women of Planned Parenthood. No, the real enemy we must look out for is something much subtler. ☩ John Zmirak, Ph.D., at The Stream

Contemplating God’s Love in the Passion of Christ

One of the things I often ask of God in this season is for the grace to contemplate God’s Love in the Passion of Christ, so that I may live a passionate life for Christ. ☩ Pamela Mandela at Catholic Stand

The problem with Benedict’s essay

Right or wrong, Benedict told us very little—practically nothing—we did not already know. ☩ Christopher R. Altieri at The Catholic World Report

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Beauty

The Ratzinger Letter: A Failure

In the ongoing sexual abuse crisis that has wracked the Roman Catholic Church, it is helpful to remember that the evil transpires on both spiritual and historical planes. ☩ Rick Yoder at The Amish Catholic

Western Civilization

The Jews and the Greeks brought a constellation of ideas into being that were amplified by the Romans, producing unique cultures in Western Europe that gave birth to a civilization known as the West, a daring, ever questing civilization that is perpetually seeking to surpass itself, and which has proven simultaneously attractive and repellent to the other civilizations that inhabit the globe. ☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American Catholic

This Lent Crucify Your Despair to the Cross of Hope!

Scripture teaches us the difference between despair and hope in the persons and reactions of Judas and Peter. Peter denied even knowing Our Lord three times, felt great sorrow over his actions, and sought Christ’s mercy in loving, selfless, surrender to the Hope synonymous with Divine Mercy ( Mark 14:66-72). ☩ Gabriel Garnica at Catholic Stand

Professors Don’t Teach If Students Don’t Learn the Truth

One can learn much without being taught, but no one can teach without another learning from them. ☩ Edvard Lorkovic at Crisis Magazine

More Evidence Twitter Skews The Media’s Understanding Of What Americans Think

It’s a given that Twitter is a bubble. The size of that bubble is what’s worth reemphasizing, especially for the benefit of the media. According to a new Pew survey, only 22 percent of American adults say they ever use Twitter. That’s compared with 69 percent who say they use Facebook, and 37 percent who say they use Instagram. ☩ Emily Jashinsky at The Federalist

HOLY MONDAY EDITION Read More »

PALM SVNDAY EDITION

Our Daily Battle With the World, the Flesh, & the Devil

We are at war. ☩ Allison Low at Catholic Stand

The first-century Roman senator who wrote about Jesus’ crucifixion

Tacitus describes Nero's persecution of Christians, & affirms the crucifixion of Christ. ☩ John Burger at Aleteia

Why a 9/11 firefighter became a priest

The story of Tom Colucci. ☩ Aleteia

The Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth

One of the more misunderstood of the cardinal sins is sloth. Most see it merely as laziness, but there is more to it than that. Let’s take a moment & consider some aspects of this cardinal sin. ☩ Msgr. Charles Pope at Community in Mission

Worried about a friend or family member? Try the Green Scapular

The Green Scapular is often used to ask God for a physical healing or spiritual conversion. ☩ Philip Kosloski at Aleteia

The Wisdom of Suffering

☩ Daniel Cerdeiras at Those Catholic Men

The Untapped Power of Faith in Action

☩ Edward Monti at Catholic Stand

Book Review: Beauty Will Save the World: Recovering the Human in an Ideological Age

One look at any art museum & the numberless portraits of the Madonna & Child that invariably hang there will demonstrate exactly how successful the relationship between the Church & the artist has been in the history of Western civilization. ☩ Joseph O'Brien at Dappled Things

Doing the Right Thing Moment by Moment

This Lent I have set myself the goal of daily Mass attendance. So far I have missed it twice, but not because of my unwillingness. . . ☩ Sofia Abasolo at Catholic Stand

New Vestments! Stunning new Pontifical Set has arrived!

It has been a long time coming, but the day has arrived. Today we received the new Pontifical Mass vestments from Rome. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Transformation, Whatever It May Be

The parish we were members of when we lived in Wisconsin offered a weekly Bible study. Every Monday night we would meet to discuss the Scripture for the following Sunday. One night I walked into what I presumed would be the typical thought-provoking evening and walked out challenged and changed. ☩ Janet Meyer at Catholic Stand

New website offers closeup views of Shroud of Turin

ShroudPhotos.com brings together Vernon Miller's scientific images of the disputed relic. ☩ John Burger at Aleteia

On Being & Becoming Human

Human experimentation is being widely conducted today both in the narrow, scientific sense, such as in the CRISPR gene editing program, and in the broader, cultural sense, such as in raising children “gender-neutral.” ☩ Marty Dybicz at Catholic Stand

The Ambo: A Brief Consideration

Today, when one refers to an "ambo" in a church, most would tend to think of a small podium. However, the ambo was at one time a much more grandiose structure. . . ☩ Shawn R. Tribe at Liturgical Arts Journal

Toxic Femininity & its Antidote- Dr. Carrie Gress

Carrie Gress is onto something extremely important. We all talk about the anti-Christ and toxic masculinity, but what about the anti-Mary and toxic femininity?. ☩ Patrick Coffin at Catholic Stand

Art for Prayer: Albrecht Durer's Green Passion

The Green Passion is one of several cycles drawn by Durer between the end of the 15th century and the beginning of 16th century. ☩ Kinga Lipinska at Liturgical Arts Journal

You Are Precious To Me

Because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you,. . . (Isiah 43:4) ☩ Guy McClung, Ph.D., J.D., at Catholic Stand

Quæritur: Father doses off during Mass

I’ve noticed one of our priests frequently doses off & falls asleep. . .sometimes even during Mass or other liturgical functions. Thankfully, the sleeping is short lived and he wakes back up, but I fear he might fall off into a deeper sleep causing liturgical functions & Mass to be delayed. What would be the appropriate thing to do if such were to happen? ☩ Fr. T. Ferguson at Fr. Z's Blog

Hope & Joy From an Unborn Child

☩ Barbara Padolina at Catholic Stand

Rooted in Love

☩ Erin Cain at Ignitum Today

Love & Commitment

☩ Carol Monaco at Catholic Stand

A Brief Summary of Traditionalism

☩ David Breitenbeck at The Imaginative Conservative

The Second Conversion

☩ Richard Van Kirk at Catholic Stand

Can Beer Brewing Help Restore Christian Culture?

☩ Jesse B. Russell, Ph.D., at Crisis Magazine

PALM SVNDAY EDITION Read More »

SATVRDAY EDITION

New Jersey Gov Signs Bill Making It 7th State to Legalize Assisted Suicide, Will Force Taxpayers to Fund Suicides

6 states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, & Vermont) & Washington D.C. permit the dangerous practice of allowing physicians to write lethal prescriptions to certain groups of persons to kill themselves. ☩ Steven Ertelt at Life News

Father John Zuhlsdorf

More thoughts on Benedict XVI’s 6,000 word essay on The Present Crisis

Ratzinger/Benedict writes from a unique perspective of age & the experience of key positions in the Church from post-WWII directly through to the present. . . ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Making the Most of the Last Days of Lent (Podcast)

Here we are, about to enter Holy Week after several weeks of Lent. How did this Lent go for you? If you find yourself wishing you had done more for Lent or tried just a little harder, don’t quit yet! ☩ Derek Rotty at Catholic Exchange

Mass. Bans Therapists From Efforts to Change Minors' Orientation or Gender Identity

House Bill 140 forbids health care providers from engaging in “sexual orientation & gender identity change efforts” during sessions with minors. ☩ Christine Rousselle at Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Pope Benedict XVI Speaks: I am no longer directly responsible (YouTube)

Pope Benedict XVI breaks his silence and a few questions arise: Did Pope Benedict XVI actually write it? And if so, has he changed his opinion on the Church in the 1960s? Were you surprised about what he says about Catholic seminaries going back to the 1960-1970s? ☩ Taylor Marshall, Ph.D., & Timothy Gordon, J.D., at TNT

Saturday Mornings & the Discipline of Daily Mass

☩ Richard Becker at Catholic Exchange

Fr. Raymond Thomas de Saint-Laurent, Confidence, & How to Fundraise

☩ Brice Sokolowski at CatholicFundraiser.net

Google Labels “Unplanned” Movie as “Propaganda,” Corrects it After Backlash

Google generated severe backlash from Unplanned movie supporters after the search engine labeled the movie’s genre as “Propaganda.” ☩ ChurchPOP

Catholic apple farmer sues over market ban

A farmer is suing the city of East Lansing, Michigan, after he was prohibited from selling organic apples at the city’s farmer’s market in what he claims is discrimination against his religious beliefs. ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

Pope’s House Liturgist: “Limit Access to the Traditional Rite”

Andrea Grillo, the liturgist who is heard by Pope Francis, prefers to dispose of Summorum Pontificum today rather than tomorrow and is looking for crown witnesses. ☩ The Eponymous Flower

The Day Stephen Hawking Unsettled His Atheist Peers

. . .Stephen Hawking’s announcement was a warning that the multiverse and, with it, philosophical naturalism is in trouble. . . ☩ Regis Nicoll at Crisis Magazine

When Twitter Blocked Mother Teresa

Imagine your reaction if I told you 20 years ago that a major internet platform would block a Mother Teresa comment about abortion because it was “hateful.” ☩ Michael Brown, Ph.D., at The Stream

Bishop Malone apologizes in Buffalo diocese, says he was part of no cover-ups

The Bishop of Buffalo said in a statement Thursday that despite media reports to the contrary, he has not been part of any cover-up of clerical sexual abuse. . . ☩ Catholic News Agency via The Catholic World Report

The ‘Islamophobia’ Smear Against Scruton

. . .Scruton does not deny that anti-Muslim prejudice exists; Scruton only objects to the term “Islamophobia” as being nothing more than an attempt to control conversation by making any and all criticism of Islam or Muslims a social pathology. ☩ Rod Dreher at The American Conservative

Quarterback & devoted dad Philip Rivers welcomes ninth child

The footballer and devout Catholic shares his secret to a successful career and family life. ☩ Cerith Gardiner at Aleteia

How Cardinal Wuerl Misled the Papal Foundation

In 2017, Cardinal Donald Wuerl provided false and misleading information to the board of the Papal Foundation to secure a $25 million grant for the Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata (IDI), a scandal-plagued hospital in Rome.. ☩ Matthew B. O'Brien at First Things

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