Big Pulpit

FRIDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Was John the Baptist a member of the Essenes?

The mystical sect shared similar values with the Forerunner of Jesus, but their ministries differed in many ways. ☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

Eduardo Verastegui Is Building The World’s Largest Statue Of Jesus For Mexico

He is currently in the process of creating the world’s tallest statue of Jesus! Mexican architect Fernando Romero is the designer behind this incredible work of art. ☩ Becky Roach of Catholic Link

The Four Evangelist: Carving by ALBL Oberammergau

These particular sculptural reliefs were made for St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas. ☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

Cardinal Wuerl Knew of Archbishop McCarrick's Abuse Allegations in 2004

The Jan. 10 disclosure from the Diocese of Pittsburgh is the first confirmation by Church authorities that Cardinal Wuerl was aware of allegations against the disgraced ex-cardinal before June 2018. ☩ Ed Condon, J.C.L., & J.D. Flynn, J.C.L. of Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Why the Pope is Wrong About Nationalism

Pope Francis gave his annual talk to the Vatican diplomatic corps this week. Once more he denounced “nationalism” and promoted multilateralism and international institutions. Like many others, the pope seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding of both nationalism and globalism. ☩ Austin Ruse of Crisis Magazine

A Mystery Vestment -- And a Beautiful One

Unfortunately, one sometimes comes across things which are of great interest but for which there is little to no information provided. This chasuble is one such example. . . ☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

Voyages Liturgiques: Liturgy in 15th Century Rouen

Practices & ceremonies taken from an Ordinal of the church of Rouen about 200 years old, all of which are still observed, except a few that I will make sure to point out. ☩ Aelredus Rievallensis of Canticum Salomonis

Beware the Dangers of Vigilant Sloth & Gluttony

Play is a necessary part of life — a part we forget when we substitute entertainment for leisure. ☩ Sherry Antonetti of National Catholic Register

A call for harmony — and a demand for truth

Pope Francis’ recent Christmas message, ‘Urbi et Orbi’, was a meditation on the roots of fraternity in the incarnation . . . What struck me as strange was that he failed to mention the sources of the conflicts there which I have followed so closely. . . ☩ Fr. Robert Sirico of Powerblog

Twelve Things I Like About the Traditional Latin Mass

A week ago I wrote a blog post about twelve things I like about the Novus Ordo. I thought it was a pretty harmless reflection on my life as a parish priest and my observation of what works and doesn’t work in the liturgy. . . Hooboy! ☩ Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Response to 7 Common Objections Against TLM

“12 Reasons Not to Prefer the Novus Ordo” article met with criticism of Novus Ordo devotees. ☩ Peter A. Kwasniewski, Ph.D., of New Liturgical Movement

Oxford Supports Emeritus Professor Accused of ‘Transphobia’

Oxford University is standing by emeritus law professor John Finnis after a petition calling for his removal. ☩ Catholic News Agency/EWTN News via National Catholic Register

Mazie Hirono Says Trump Nominee Not Qualified Because He’s a Pro-Life Catholic

The liberal media avoids reporting on recent accusations of anti-Catholic bigotry from prominent Democratic Senators & the pushback from a party colleague. ☩ Nicholas Fondacaro of Life News

What do these Catholic abbreviations and acronyms mean?

☩

‘We strive to develop a sense of chastity’: how Catholic colleges are fighting porn

☩ Kelly Salmonon of Catholic Herald

Chinese Communist Party Stifles Faith in the Cradle, Closes Religious Schools

☩ Feng Gang of Bitter Winter

A Novus Ordo moment

☩ Fr John Hunwicke of Fr. Hunwicke's Mutual Enrichment

Bringing Natural Law to the Nations

☩ Samuel Gregg, D.Phil., of Law and Liberty

Vatican adds new press office roles in ongoing communications reform

☩ Elise Harris of Crux

Venezuelan bishops denounce Maduro’s new presidential term as illegitimate

☩ Catholic News Agency via Catholic Herald

Karl Marx and the Great Socialist Revival

☩ James Bovard of Mises Wire

Pets are Becoming People Too—Under the Law

☩ Anne Hendershott of Crisis Magazine

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THVRSDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

How the Saints Overcame Distraction During Prayer

St. Bernard was traveling with a poor, uneducated farmer, who noticed that the abbot kept his eyes cast downward. When the farmer asked why the saint wasn’t looking at the beautiful countryside, Bernard explained that he wanted to avoid distractions while praying. ☩ Fr. Joseph M. Esper of Catholic Exchange

The “Gotcha Game” Played by Fr. Martin

The main reason I’m writing about this is because of responses like our good ol’ friend James Martin, LGBTSJ. I mean, the guy seems positively giddy. Can you just imagine him pumping his fist and saying, “They caught a conservative, heterosexual abuser! Woot!”? ☩ One Mad Mom

Except the Lord Build the House: Restoring a Sense of Beauty

The men who built the cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres did not have diesel engines, or lightweight metals like soft aluminum or firm titanium, or steel girders. . . ☩ Anthony M. Esolen, Ph.D., of The Institute for Sacred Architecture

Explaining to Family Why He Left the Denominations for the Catholic Church

“I converted because I lost all the discussions I had with a Catholic workmate – if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. . . ☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

Pope Francis. . .Bad News From His Argentina

Latest 'episode' is in danger of smashing to smithereens the strategy that Francis has adopted for addressing the question of sexual abuse committed by sacred ministers. ☩ Sandro Magister of Settimo Cielo via L'Espresso

Answering the 'Ecological' Argument for Contraception

Some people argue that the Church’s teaching on contraception isn’t just wrong, it’s a threat to the planet. They view contraception as a benefit to society. . . ☩ Todd Aglialoro of Catholic Answers Magazine

Where to begin in the spiritual life, according to St. Catherine of Siena

☩ Philip Kosloski of Aleteia

A First Look at the New Brébeuf Hymnal

☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

Is There a Catholic View on the Border Wall?

☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of National Catholic Register

Mexican President Obrador Calls For Border Wall To Help Keep Out Drunk College Students From Entering Country During Spring Break

☩ Eye of the Tiber (Warning: Satire)

What is Opus Dei? A CNA Explainer

Founded in A.D. 1928 by Fr. Josemaria Escriva, a vision to help layity understand the baptismal calling of holiness & evangelization. . .“work of God,”- or, in Latin, “Opus Dei.” ☩ CNA via The Catholic World Report

Sword and Spade: A New Magazine for Catholic Men for a New Year

If there were ever a time for a magazine for Catholic men, the time is now. ☩ Jason Craig of Those Catholic Men

God & Caesar

Liberalism Against the Church

Liberalism, says Helena Rosenblatt, has grown ineffective as it has forgotten the role that public morality, virtue, and conceptions of the common good played in its development. ☩ Gladden J. Pappin, Ph.D., of First Things

Anglican Ordinariate

Making your support real & not theoretical

I have had some conversations with some people involved in Ordinariate life about those who tacitly support the Ordinariates, or the Anglicanorum Coetibus Society but tacit support is as far as it goes. ☩ Deborah Gyapong of The Anglicanorum Coetibus Society

She Was Getting Treatment for Depression But Otherwise in Good Health, Doctors Euthanized Her

Europe’s top human rights court has agreed to hear a case being brought against Belgium by a man whose mother was euthanized in 2012 for depression. ☩ SPUC via Life News

Beijing’s “New” Cathedral: Renewal of a Classical Monument

“When we build, let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for. . . ☩ Anthony E. Clark, Ph.D., of The Institute for Sacred Architecture

American Psychological Association Says Traditional Masculinity Is Pathological

According to the APA, ‘components of traditional masculinity’ include ‘emotional stoicism, homophobia, not showing vulnerability, self-reliance, and competitiveness.’ ☩ D.C. McAllister of the Federalist

God & Caesar

Democratic Congresswoman Calls Out Fellow Democrats for ‘Religious Bigotry’

Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat from Hawaii, published an op-ed in The Hill, implicitly criticizing two of her fellow Democratic congresswomen for subjecting a judicial nominee to a religious test as a result of his Catholic faith & his long-time membership in the Knights of Columbus. ☩ Alessandra De Sanctis of National Review

Protestant Nationalism & Catholic Empire? A Comment on Yoram Hazony

Leading Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin recognized the Ten Commandments as natural law. . . ☩ James R. Rogers, Ph.D. J.D., of Law and Liberty

What Modesty Is & Isn’t. . .& Why It Matters

 ☩ John Paul Meenan of Crisis Magazine

Unique From Day One: 76 Marches for Life Scheduled Across the U.S.

☩ Patty Knap of National Catholic Register

Yes, there's a Jesus angle — & a Chick-fil-A one — in Clemson's football national title

☩ Bobby Ross, Jr., of Get Religion

Books

These Are Four of the Best Catholic Children’s Books Available

☩ Jessica McAfee of epicPew

From Giotto to Rubens: The Baptism of the Lord in Painting

☩ Kinga Lipinska of Liturgical Arts Journal

THVRSDAY EDITION Read More »

VVEDNESDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

What a U.S. Troop Pullout Means for Syria’s Christians

U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the partisan divide accused the president of quitting the fight to vanquish ISIS before it had been won. ☩ Joan Frawley Desmond of National Catholic Register

Springs in the Desert: Infertility, Accompaniment & Fruitfulness

In a world that simultaneously prizes an autonomy that embraces a “child-free by choice” lifestyle and indulges celebrations of baby bumps and clever “gender reveals,” it is the childless couple, longing to conceive, that often experiences “how difficult it is to live.” ☩ Kimberly Henkel, Ph.D., & Ann Koshute of Humanum

A Three-day Meeting in Rome to Do What?

(the) suggestions seem to be aimed at fixing problems and damage control after the abuse is done. They do not get to the cause of the sexual abuse itself. ☩ Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M. Cap., of Crisis Magazine

Who Chose the Books of the Bible? Are the Books “Self-authenticating”?

. . .or was the Catholic Church Necessary to Define the Canon of Scripture? ☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

Why Are There Sex Hormones in the Water?

Perhaps our society is not ready for the message that various estrogen products, not least the artificial estrogens used in hormonal birth control, are not filtered from the water we drink. . . ☩ Mary Shivanandan, S.T.L. S.T.D., of Humanum

A new year of challenges for the Church in Africa

2018 was a difficult year for the Church in Africa, and 2019—the 50th anniversary of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar—will almost certainly be another. ☩ Allen Ottaro of The Dispatch at The Catholic World Report

Those Empty Pews: Thoughts on Mass Attendance

“Once we have grasped what the Mass is, there is an exhilaration in thinking about it.” ☩ Rick Becker of National Catholic Register

Pope Francis & Mirages of Fraternity

Pope Francis’ Christmas message, clotted with the word fraternity, was such a brew of pernicious banality that it is hard to know where to start. ☩ Maureen Mullarkey of Studio Matters

Seven Spirit-Building Exercises for 2019

☩ Richard Van Kirk of Catholic Stand

Written in our chromosomes; anchored in our bodies

☩ Celia Wolf-Devine, Ph.D., of Mercatornet

Analysis: Their retreat accomplished, the U.S. bishops remain under siege

☩ J.D. Flynn, J.C.L., of CNA via Catholic Herald

A Failing Papacy

☩ R.R. Reno, Ph.D., of First Things

Why You Should Go to Rome This Winter

☩ Lyndsey Matthews of AFAR

Confession in America

In the 2013 Joseph Gordon-­Levitt romantic comedy Don Jon, the porn-obsessed title character hits the confessional, reels off his ­usual list of sins against chastity, and then cheerfully heads to the gym to pray his Hail Marys while doing pull-ups. ☩ Eve Tushnet of First Things

Sex Scandal & Cover-Up

U.S. Head of Opus Dei Confirms Misconduct Settlement Against Popular DC Priest

Opus Dei announced Monday that it had paid a settlement following accusations of misconduct against a priest of the society made in 2002. ☩ Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register

Books

Review of The Anti-Mary Exposed: Rescuing the Culture from Toxic Femininity, by Dr Carrie Gress

Anyone seeking to understand just how powerful and detrimental to modern society the feminist movement has been, and the reasons. for this should read this book. ☩ David Clayton of New Liturgical Movement

God & Caesar

Lawsuit Claims SPLC Abetted Theft, Spread Lies to Destroy Lawyer for ‘Thought Crime’

In December 2018, a Baltimore lawyer filed a devastating lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Law Center & 2 of its employees. SPLC targeted Glen Keith Allen over his former ties to the National Alliance, a white nationalist group. . . ☩ Tyler O'Neil of PJ Media

Sorry HuffPo, The Pro-Life Movement is Not “Devious”

☩ Matthew Archbold of National Catholic Register

Dozens of Catholic Members of Congress are Abortion Activists, Here’s a List

☩ Bill Donohue of Life News

Hawaii’s assisted suicide law comes into effect, but few physicians cooperate

☩ The Catholic World Report

VVEDNESDAY EDITION Read More »

TVESDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

What is the best edition of the Bible for Catholics?

According to scripture experts, the answer depends on the reader, but there are certain guidelines. ☩ John Burger of Aleteia

Promises of Jesus – Off the Shelf 106 with Marge Fenelon

Occasionally a book makes it’s way to me that gives me pause. A book that looks at the faith in a manner that addresses the current divided culture we live in and it brings hope. Join Marge Fenelon & I as we discuss her book 10 Promises of Jesus: Stories & Scripture Reflections about Suffering & Joy. ☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

8 Everyday words and phrases with divine origins

Did you know that the things you say everyday have religious meaning behind them? ☩ Fr. Michael Rennier of Aleteia

Were the Early Church Fathers Really the First Catholics?

“It was the Church Fathers ... that convinced me to be a Catholic.” ☩ Kathy Schiffer of National Catholic Register

Is Unity Among Bishops the Most Important Good?

Commentary: A question to ponder as the U.S. bishops conclude their retreat in advance of the February summit at the Vatican. ☩ Fr. Raymond J. de Souza of National Catholic Register

The Time Has Come for A New Counter-Reformation

One that learns from the first Counter-Reformation of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries how to make a creative and serious response to the iconoclasm, functionalism, egalitarianism, and “quotidianism” of our time. ☩ Duncan G. Stroik of Crisis Magazine

The death of Hong Kong bishop a potential crisis for Church in China

It’s commonly asserted in the West that the Chinese word for ‘crisis’ is a combination of the characters for ‘danger’ and ‘opportunity.’ This comes to mind after the sudden death of the Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung of Hong Kong on Jan. 3 of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 73, leaving the diocese vacant for the first time since it transferred to China in 1997. ☩ Charles Collins of Crux

Courage International: A Lifeline for Catholics Living With Same-Sex Attraction

☩ Richard G. Evans of Catholic Stand

95% of Doctors in Ireland are Refusing to Kill Babies in Abortions

☩ Micaiah Bilger of Life News

Abuse allegations at famed monastery rock pope’s native Argentina

☩ Inés San Martín of Crux

New Analysis of 20 Studies Finds 151% Increased Breast Cancer Risk After Abortion

☩ Angela Lanfranchi, M.D., of Life News

We Could Do Better

Of course, we could do better, but we usually don’t. We need a savior. St. Paul notes our predicament and then identifies the solution and it is not us. ☩ Jim Dougherty of Catholic Stand

Sex Scandal & Cover-Up

Analysis: The non-trial of Theodore McCarrick

Vatican City, Jan 7, 2019 / 12:30 pm - While recent media reports suggest that a trial of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick is underway, Vatican sources have told CNA that his case is not being handled by a full judicial process. ☩ Ed Condon, J.C.L., of CNA via The Dispatch of The Catholic World Report

The revival of 1920's Designer Fabrics

Finally we are beginning to see the revival of some more interesting (and truly artistic) fabrics from yesteryear. This prime example - originally from circa 1920's Belgium - has been revived and made available again courtesy of the Leaflet Missal Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. ☩ J.P. Sonnen of Liturgical Arts Journal

Cardinal Brandmüller: Society ‘Hypocritical’ to Condemn Sexual Abuse by Priests

In a new interview, the German cardinal says the “real scandal” is that the Church hasn’t distinguished herself from a society characterized by growing sexualization. ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

The Pope’s Elephant: The Story of the Papal Elephant Buried Underneath the Vatican

Diggers found a large tooth, and four pieces comprising a rather giant jaw bone. The workers unearthed something peculiar: elephant bones. ☩ Billy Ryan of uCatholic

What Catholic Social Teaching Tells Us About Affirmative Action

☩ Stephen M. Krason, J.D. Ph.D., of Crisis Magazine

Twelve Reasons Not to Prefer the Novus Ordo: A Reply to Fr. Longenecker

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

Conversations on Christian Humanism

☩ Bradley J. Birzer, Ph.D., of The Imaginative Conservative

TVESDAY EDITION Read More »

MONDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

The age in which we live: Readers seeking Asia Bibi news may need to look in op-ed pages

. . .this week’s “think piece” — which actually contains background on the news. The headline, in tis recent opinion piece at The Washington Post: “My client’s death sentence for blasphemy was overturned. She still cannot leave Pakistan.” ☩ Terry Mattingly of Get Religion

Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh urges Irish Catholics to resist new abortion law

The primate of All-Ireland has insisted that the country’s new abortion law that took effect on January 1 has “no moral force” and it “must be resisted” by Catholics. ☩ Michael Kelly of Catholic Herald

Did Jesus Have a Miraculous Birth?

You might think that the question we are asking has an obvious answer, since Jesus wa ☩ Jimmy Akin of JimmyAkin.com

Music & the Education of the Christian Soul

In Plato’s Republic, Socrates leads a group of ambitious young Athenians on a search for the best way of life. Their verbal construction of a perfectly just regime is not motivated by idealism, real or feigned, but by genuine perplexity about the one thing human beings cannot help desiring: happiness. Glaucon, Adeimantus, and their companions want to know what benefit justice provides in the soul that could possibly outweigh the riches, powers, and pleasures intelligent and enterprising men such as themselves expect to acquire through artful injustice. ☩ L. Joseph Hebert, Jr., Ph.D. of The Imaginative Conservative

Pope risks rare double ‘own goal’ in case of Argentine Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta

ROME - In many ways 2018 was a tough year for Pope Francis with the explosion of fresh clerical abuse scandals in several parts of the world, and in light of news that an Argentine bishop working at the Vatican at Francis’s personal invitation has been accused of sexual abuse, 2019 doesn’t appear to be starting off any easier. ☩ John L. Allen, Jr., of Crux

Does the Church Exclude?

Exclude,” and the noun “exclusion,” have become contentious moral terms. They are perceived as bad opposites to “include” and “inclusion,” concepts that are often regarded as among the great social goods of our day – so much so that hospitals, universities, government agencies, and businesses now have offices dedicated solely to issues of “diversity and inclusion.” ☩ David G. Bonagura, Jr., of The Catholic Thing

Return to Liturgical Glory?

☩ Mark Nowakowski, Ph.D., of Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship

The basilica with the second largest collection of relics in the world – after the Vatican

☩ Marie Fournier of Aleteia

Chateaubriand, the author who wanted to return France to its Christian roots

☩ Benjamin Fayet of Aleteia

Union of Orthodox churches in Ukraine a cause for rejoicing

☩ Adam A.J. DeVille, Ph.D., of The Dispatch in The Catholic World Report

When Does a Catholic Book Need an Imprimatur?

☩ Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., of Canon Law Made Easy

Surprise! It's time for another one-sided look at the birth of a new church – the Women Priests

It’s time for another GetReligion post about mainstream press coverage of the Women Priests (or “WomenPriests”) movement. ☩ Terry Mattingly of Get Religion

Sex Scandal & Cover-Up

The Witch Hunt Against Australia’s Cardinal George Pell: Five Facts You Need To Know

Yes, the cases against Australia's Cardinal George Pell are nothing less than a wild-eyed anti-Catholic witch hunt by the Australian government against the Catholic Church. ☩ David F. Pierre, Jr., of TheMediaReport.com

The Vatican investigating the third accusation of abuse against ex-Cardinal McCarrick

Crux has learned that the Vatican is now investigating a total of three cases of abuse against the former archbishop of Washington, one of which has yet to be publicly reported. ☩ Christopher White of Crux

German cardinal Marx a lightning rod in Francis’s papacy

ROME - Any administration’s internal drama, whether it’s a presidency, a papacy or a CEO’s tenure, is generally shaped by the clash of competing visions and personalities. In the great piece of theater that is the Francis papacy, there’s no doubt that one of the key protagonists in the cast is German Cardinal Reinhard Marx. ☩ Elis Harris of Crux

The Zanchetta situation is a microcosm of the current crisis

The allegations against Bishop Zanchetta involve misrule, bad blood, & sexual impropriety connected with the seminary he personally founded. ☩ Christopher R. Altieri of The Catholic World Report

Cardinal Marx Pushes for ‘Further Adaptations’ of Church Teaching in 2019

In his New Year message, the head of the German bishops’ conference also appeared to argue for a revision of clerical celibacy in light of a “shocking” report of historical clergy sexual abuse published in Germany last year. ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

Ireland’s Catholic Collapse

☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Can We Know Who is Saved?

☩ Casey Chalk of Crisis Magazine

Please Don’t Look At The Trans Crazy

☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Bishop Frank Caggiano condemns anti-Semitic graffiti at Bridgeport cathedral

☩ CNA via The Catholic World Report

MONDAY EDITION Read More »

SVNDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

The Virtues of Life: Cardinal, Theological, Capital

What exactly are some of the virtues which we should be trying to attain? Let’s examine some specific ones, namely, the cardinal virtues, the theological virtues, and the capital virtues. ☩ Ray Sullivan of Catholic Stand

Seminarian: Why I Want to Be a Priest Despite the Crisis

As the clerical sex abuse crisis continues to unfold. Each of us in ordained ministry needs to confront it. Our answers might be slightly different but they all need to return to what really matters. ☩ Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, L.C., of Through Catholic Lenses

Know Thyself Part V: The Discipline of Love

What types of desires do we have as human beings and why? To who or what do these desires order us? Of what types of relationships are humans capable? The answer is at once simple & obvious yet demanding & easily forgotten. The proper ordering of life puts God first & takes time & discipline. ☩ Christian Daru of Catholic Stand

Fr. Matthias Scheeben & the Harmony of Truth

Fr. Scheeben was a great theologian who sought “to make the Christian feel happy about his faith.” ☩ Fr. John P. Cush, S.T.D., of National Catholic Register

Debunking 4 Biblical Myths Accepted by Many as True

There are three “truths” I have been asked about many times. Often people tell me these as though they’re explaining to me something I’ve never heard before. However, in each case, there is no historical, biblical or actual basis to any three of them. In each case they started being taught in recent times and because their side so often they “become true.” ☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

You Will Watch This Little Drummer Boy Video Until You Can’t

Need something to keep the Christmas spirit alive? Nothing like the classics, but every now and then you find a new rendition that puts a new taste of excitement back into a story! ☩ Jessica McAfee of epicPew

St. Joseph & Sacrificial Love

A friend who married in the 1950s told me that she was advised in marriage preparation never to refuse her husband conjugal intercourse. This pastoral policy was often understood. . . ☩ Mary Shivanandan of National Catholic Register

Yep, You Have a Child

All over the world nativity scenes are glowing with light. Millions of Christmas cards impressed with the visage of the infant Jesus. There is something about Christmas that touches the hardest of hearts. ☩ Brother John Joseph of Ignitum Today

Addiction: Empowerment, Connection, & the Recovery Journey

☩ Dan L. Edmunds, D.Ed., of Catholic Stand

Starting the Day With Prayer: The Morning Offering Bolsters Domestic Churches

☩ Joseph Pronechen of National Catholic Register

The Year in Books: 2018 Edition

☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

New Year With the Saints: In Praise of Holy Help

☩ Amy Smith of National Catholic Register

Sibling survivors of India’s anti-Christian violence opt for consecrated life

On December 27, Fr. Anand was ordained a priest of the Order of Friars Minor and his sister, Anjali, pronounced her final vows as a member of the Society of Saint Anne of Luzern. ☩ Vatican News

SVNDAY EDITION Read More »

SATVRDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Why the Soviet Union failed to eradicate religion

Communist atheism failed to address the search for personal meaning in life ☩ Francis Phillips of Catholic Herald

Churches, Piazzas, & European Spaces

When you go to a great European city, you find beautiful spacious piazze, outdoor cafes, charming shops, fountains to sit near, and people to watch. For many today, that symbolizes the good city. ☩ Duncan Stroik at The Institute for Sacred Architecture

Special Chants for Epiphany 2019

As they do every year, our friends of the Schola Sainte Cécile have posted on their website the current year’s Proclamation of the Movable Feasts, which is traditionally sung after the Gospel on the feast of the Epiphany. Also known from its first word as the Noveritis, its tone is basically the same as that of the Exsultet. Here it is in a jpg, which you can click to enlarge; click here to see a pdf version with some nice decorations. ☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

Christianity’s Neglected Cultural Weapons - Signs & Symbols

recently interviewed the accomplished artist and teacher of icon carving, Jonathan Pageau. Some will be aware that he has been gaining an increasingly high profile in social media. . . ☩ David Clayton of New Liturgical Movement

Greatly Troubled but Walking Towards an Epiphany

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word ‘troubled’ as concerned or worried feelings about a decision. ☩ Betty Parquette of Catholic Stand

Uncanny Bible Coincidences

☩ Karlo Broussard of Catholic Answers Magazine

Finnish bishop remains hospitalized with a serious head injury after fall

☩ Zita Ballinger Fletcher of Catholic News Service via Crux

With Thanks to Sister Wendy Beckett

☩ David Torkington of Catholic Stand

Your 2019 Fashion Roadmap

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)

Five Resolutions for the New Year from Cardinal Sarah

To help give us some suggestions for improving our spiritual lives this year, we look to Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Liturgy. ☩ Laura Ricketts of epicPew

Sex Scandal & Cover-Up

Argentine bishop at Holy See financial office investigated for sex abuse

Bishop Gustavo Oscar Zanchetta, an Argentine native appointed to the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See in 2017, was accused last autumn of sexual abuse, the Holy See announced Friday. . . ☩ CNA/EWTN News via The Catholic World Report

Conversion or reform: What will the bishops choose in 2019?

This week the U.S. bishops gathered at Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago for a weeklong retreat, held at the urging of Pope Francis. ☩ CNA via The Catholic World Report

Spinoza, secularism, & the challenge of evangelization

In The Dream of Enlightenment, Anthony Gottlieb avers that what he calls “the religion of Spinozism” is more or less identical to the secularist worldview espoused by so many in the West today, including himself. ☩ Bishop Robert R. Barron, S.T.D., of The Catholic World Report

God & Caesar

Democrats Crusade Against Knights Of Columbus For ‘Extreme’ Works Of Christian Charity

I was concerned that such an extremist organization could exist right under my nose. I decided to do an investigation into this mysterious, problematic group. ☩ Helen Raleigh of the Federalist

Nancy Pelosi Prays “Lord Make Me a Channel for Thy Peace,” Then Votes to Fund Abortions

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) slammed Democrats late Thursday evening for including provisions to expand taxpayer-funded abortion. . . ☩ Lauretta Brown of Life News

Irish Pro-Lifers Protest at Abortion Clinics as First Babies Die in Abortions

Irish abortion activists are demanding that the government censor pro-life speech after pro-life protesters peacefully stood outside one of the country’s new abortion facilities Thursday. ☩ Micaiah Bilger of Life News

A Canon Law Primer on Church Teaching Regarding “Same-sex Marriage”

☩ Defenders of the Catholic Faith

Recently Retired QB Assesses NFL Playoffs & His Own Future

☩ Trent Beattie of National Catholic Register

Communications Centralization & Leaks at the Vatican

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

Pope’s message to U.S. bishops: what Not to do

☩ Philip Lawler of Catholic Culture

SATVRDAY EDITION Read More »

FRIDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Salvation for Non-Catholics & the Need for Evangelization

When getting into conversations about salvation, especially with non-Christians, it’s typically difficult to navigate all the nuances that come with such a weighty subject. ☩ Nicholas LaBanca of Catholic Stand

30 Transgender Regretters Come Out Of The Closet

Trans Life Survivors’ is a godsend for people struggling with trans regret, no matter what stage of transition or de-transition they are in. ☩ Stella Morabito of the Federalist

How To Bless Your Home For The Feast Of The Epiphany

Traditionally, Catholics bless their home and those who live in their household on the Feast of the Epiphany each year. It’s not difficult to do and we highly recommend you give it a try! Here’s how. . . ☩ Becky Roach of Catholic Link

The Real Lesson of the Dust Bowl: Communities as Bulwarks Against Atomism & Statism

The alternative to the ideology of radical self-sufficiency is not reliance on the state, but the kind of community-based brotherly love and mutual aid that could be found even during midwestern American farmers’ darkest days. ☩ Jason Morgan, Ph.D., of Public Discourse

Two losses drain just a bit of color from the Vatican scene

Although the Vatican may be a major global institution, the lived experience is everyone involved in the day-to-day life of the place pretty much knows everybody else, so that the absence of one or two of those personalities is always keenly felt. ☩ John L. Allen, Jr., of Crux

The Readings for Epiphany Explained

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

The 17 Most Anticipated Catholic Books of 2019

☩ Chloe Langr of epicPew

Fr. Carlos Martins Could Not Have Said It Better

☩ Fr. Richard Heilman of Roman Catholic Man

Synthetic hormone injections for transgender Children Worry Some Doctors

☩ CNA/EWTN News via The Catholic World Report

Vatican’s doctrine Czar Approves Hysterectomies in ‘Extreme Cases’

The Vatican updated a ruling on the morality of hysterectomies today. ☩ Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, L.C., of Through Catholic Lenses

Earthquake in the Vatican Media. The Winter Campaign of Pope Francis’ Stalwarts

What never went right in three years for the flighty monsignor Dario Viganò, head of the Vatican dicastery for communication from 2015 to 2018, has come off in a few days, around Christmas, for his methodical successor, Paolo Ruffini. ☩ Sandro Magister, Settimo Cielo via L'Espresso

Sex Scandal & Cover-Up

Giving Due Process Its Due

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is looking into developing national guidelines for releasing names of clerics facing “substantiated claims of abuse.” ☩ Stephen P. White of The Catholic Thing

In Letter to US Bishops, Pope Calls for ‘Change of Mindset’

Unity and conversion are required to restore credibility and trust in the context of the sexual abuse, the Holy Father told the bishops. ☩ Catholic News Agency via NC Register

Religion, Violence, & ‘Apocalpyto’

Mexican archaeologists have discovered what they say is the first temple of a pre-Hispanic fertility god known as the Flayed Lord who is depicted as a skinned human corpse. . .Priests worshipped Xipe Totec by skinning human victims and then donning their skins. ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

The problem with Pope Francis’ letter to the U.S. bishops

The framework and assumption that what’s most at stake here is institutional credibility is exactly what led to cover-ups and protection of clerical perpetrators. . . Exactly. ☩ Amy Welborn of The Catholic World Report

Anglican Ordinariate & Related News

Why Send St. Thomas Becket's Bloodstained Tunic to Canterbury?

To mark the 850th anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket, the Vatican will be sending back the martyred saint’s bloodstained tunic to Canterbury Cathedral. ☩ Donald R. McClarey, J.D., of The American Catholic

How Catholics Should Fundraise – Recommendations from a Homily

☩ Brice Sokolowski of CatholicFundraiser.net

The Lord’s Prayer Is Just Fine the Way It Is

☩ R. Jared Staudt, Ph.D., of Crisis Magazine

Tea leaves in Rome: That timely Vatican press office shake-up is causing a lot of chatter

☩ Terry Mattingly of Get Religion

God & Caesar

Rahm Emanuel, racism, & Chicago Public Schools' massive, underreported sex abuse scandal

☩ William J. Kelly of Washington Examiner

FRIDAY EDITION Read More »

THVRSDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

☩ Catholify

How to Start Growing in Prayer in the New Year

Each new calendar year, I’m amazed at all the resolutions I see in newspaper ads, on social media, and in conversations among friends. Most involve health and fitness, of course. I admit this is likely the one area of my life that is lacking the most. What has always mattered to me, though, is prayer. ☩ Jeannie Ewing of Catholic Exchange

Anglican Bishops Approve Transgender “Baptism”

Last spring, I wrote about a new book, put out by British publisher Darton, Longman, & Todd: Transfaith. The book is a collection of 7 experimental liturgies for “transgender” use composed by a Church of England priestess & a former Metropolitan Community Church minister who “retrained” for ministry in the United Reformed Church. ☩ John M. Grondelski, Ph.D., of Crisis Magazine

The Hidden Meaning of the Gifts in “12 Days of Christmas”

This interpretation gives the song significantly more meaning that does its shell of secular gift-giving. ☩ Shaun McAfee, O.P., of National Catholic Register

How Can We Guard the Purity of Our Children?

“More souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason.” ☩ Amanda Evinger of National Catholic Register

O Come Let Us Adore Him—in the Eucharist

Knowing his divine Son is “the living bread which came down from heaven” . . . -- John 6:51 ☩ Tom Nash of Catholic Answers Magazine

The Enriching Complementarity of Faith & Science

Aquinas makes a claim about the proper relationship between faith & science. ☩ Fr. Raphael Christianson, O.P. of Homiletic & Pastoral Review

Wear Glasses? You Can Thank This Medieval Friar for Them

☩ Billy Ryan of uCatholic

Deaf Sign for Abortion

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

Why Taki’s views disgust me

☩ Sohrab Ahmari of Catholic Herald

What to Think About Bad Popes

☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

Book Review

“Mountains & a Mustard Seed: A Family’s Journey of Hope”

Mountains and a Mustard Seed is what I would call a “legacy book,” a kind of capstone on an amazing family journey guided by the hand of Providence. The theme that weaves its way through the story like a thread, however, is not the recounting of events and memories for their own sake, but a pouring out of love, generosity, faith, and hope for others as a gift. ☩ Rob Marco of Catholic Stand

Sex Scandal & Cover-Up

Vatican Knew About Legionary Founder Maciel’s Abuse From 1943

The head of the Vatican’s dicastery for religious life blames ‘a mafia’ for the cover-up, adding those responsible ‘were not the Church.’ ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

Cardinal Ouellet: US Bishops’ Vote on Abuse Reform Measures Was Blocked to Allow More Discussion

A Nov. 11 letter from Cardinal Marc Ouellet says that proposals that had been scheduled for a vote by the bishops’ conference needed more time and discussion to “properly mature.” ☩ CNA/EWTN News via National Catholic Register

Does Your Family Need Healing? Try These Powerful Prayers for Peace, Healing & Harmony

The holiday season is a great reminder for many of us that the promise of peace from the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, has yet to be fulfilled in many of our families. ☩ Simone Rizkallah of ChurchPOP

God & Caesar

Dozens of Bitter Winter Reporters Arrested

Accused of espionage and subversion, at least 45 contributors were arrested and interrogated; the reporter who filmed a secret camp in Xinjiang “disappeared” after the arrest. ☩ Lin Yijiang of Bitter Winter

2019: The Beginning of the End for the Transgender Movement

The ground is shaky under the feet of the current homosexual insurgency. . . ☩ Tom Gilson of The Stream

After One More Patreon Ban, Jordan Peterson & Dave Rubin Are Starting Their Own

The atheist intellectual Sam Harris is one of Patreon's top-earning users. He, Dave Rubin, and Jordan Peterson have abandoned the platform over its capricious ban on another user. ☩ Nicole Russell of The Federalist

The Coming Decline of Fox News

But Rupert Murdoch is 87 years of age, and his sons are poised to take command. When they do, Fox News will aspire to become a general-interest news service and no longer an advocate of Rightist advocacy journalism. ☩ Richard J. Bishirjian, Ph.D., of The Imaginative Conservative

Sister Wendy Beckett, BBC Art Historian, Dies at 88

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

Pope Francis, what if he shuts down Ecclesia Dei?

☩ Andrea Gagliarducci of Monday Vatican

Newly Ordained Priest Probably Thinks He’s Some Sort Of Big Shot Now

☩ Eye of the Tiber (Warning: Satire)

Sex Scandal & Cover-Up

Cardinal O’Malley Forwards Concerns to Nuncio after Times Bombshell on N.Y. Priest

☩ CNA via National Catholic Register

College Outraged N.Y. Archdiocese Approved Visiting Priest under Abuse Investigation

☩ Ed Condon, J.C.L., of National Catholic Register

THVRSDAY EDITION Read More »

VVEDNESDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

A Fun Family Tradition to Keep Christmas Alive for Your Children

It does often seem as though, much as we try to remember that Christmas begins on Christmas—everything before it being Advent—the traditions become fewer, especially for the kiddos. ☩ Shaun McAfee, O.P., of National Catholic Register

A.J. Ayer, Mike Tyson, Science & God

The life of British philosopher Sir Alfred Jules Ayer (1910-1989 A.D.) has become not only the stuff of academic, but of popular legend as well. ☩ Guy McClung, Ph.D. J.D. of Catholic Stand

Julie’s Story: From Episcopal to Baptist to Anglican to Catholic

At the age of three in 1974, our family moved to Austin, TX. The first thing my parents did was join a wonderful Episcopal Church in which I spent my entire childhood. ☩ Steve Ray of Defenders of the Catholic Faith

The Gift of Listening: Of Cursors, Nurses, & Amazon A.I.

Listening to someone’s story – just sitting there and listening and nodding and smiling – could well be the most important thing you do all day. ☩ Rick Becker of National Catholic Register

A New Year’s Resolution: Start Wearing a Visible Cross Daily

The Lord does not simply posit, but promises, the trials that are in store for those who follow his will. ☩ Justin McClain of National Catholic Register

Looking for Jesus During the Christmas Season

It has become increasingly difficult as advertisers and retailers compete for our time and attention. ☩ Deacon Greg Lambert of Catholic Stand

L.A. Archdiocese Recognizes Catholics Who Perform Works of Mercy

Archbishop Gomez wants to tell the stories of the good works that are being done in our communities. ☩ from California Catholic Daily

A Growing Traditional Catholic Parish in the Ozarks

What if I told you there is a place in the Ozarks where orthodox Catholicism reigns? ☩ Shane Schaetzel of Complete Christianity

Breaking the Fourth Wall on Social Media

Just a few years ago, I was arguing in the comment boxes of a gay blog called Slowly Boiled Frog, a site that had gone after me hammer and tongs for years. ☩ Austin Ruse of Crisis Magazine

Vatican II Saint Peter's Basilica

Why the Liturgical Reform?

Why was there a need for the reform of the liturgy? ☩ Helen Hull Hitchcock of Adoremus Bulletin

The Desecration of Churches Today

Does appearance and dress matter when attending Mass or simply visiting a church? ☩ Ines A. Murzaku of Crisis Magazine

Get Out Now: The Compelling Case Against Public Schools

So many of us have heard indirectly that our public school system is a nationwide wasteland that does harm to children. ☩ Jim Russell of Crisis Magazine

Names of Jesus – Off the Shelf with Paul Thigpen

This week on Off the Shelf as we anticipate the birth of Jesus we take a look at some of the many names of Jesus in Scripture. ☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

Faithfulness, Beauty & Truth Draw Souls, As Bees to Honey

☩ Fr. Harold McKale of Legatus Magazine

Adoring Christ With Mary: Eucharistic Devotion and the Mother of God

☩ Filip Mazurczak of National Catholic Register

7 Ways Your Domestic Church Can Imitate the Holy Family’s Virtues

☩ Joseph Pronechen of National Catholic Register

God Alone Can Judge, So Be True, Not Right

☩ Susan Skinner of Catholic Stand

God, Cell Phones & French Catholic Churches

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

Pope Francis, Indifferentism, & Islamization

☩ William Kilpatrick of Crisis Magazine

VVEDNESDAY EDITION Read More »

TVESDAY EDITION

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

10 Ways To Help The Blessed Mother In The New Year

Devotion to Mary is God’s way and can be our way too. ☩ Patti Maguire Armstrong of National Catholic Register

Holy See Press Office Director Greg Burke Resigns

Burke and deputy director Paloma García Ovejero step down by their own choice and will be replaced ad interim by Vatican journalist Alessandro Gisotti. ☩ by Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

Is Missing Mass On Holy Days Sinful? This Priest Explains The Hard Truth

People who willfully exempt oneself from Mass on a Holy Day carry the consequence of being in mortal sin. It is the same exact consequence for those who willfully exempt themselves from going to any Sunday Mass. ☩ by Fr. Bill Peckman of ChurchPOP

Retired Bishop Mulvee Of Providence, R.I., Dies At Age 88

Retired Bishop Robert E. Mulvee of Providence died Dec. 28 at the St. Antoine Residence in North Smithfield, following a brief illness. He was 88. ☩ by Rick Snizek of CNS via Crux

‘Miracle Of The Flowers’ Repeats For Six Centuries

Christmastime wonder in one Italian town has happened annually since the 14th century. ☩ by Joseph Pronechen of National Catholic Register

The Perfect Start For The New Year Means Celebrating With Mary

Celebrating Mary as Mother of God and our Mother on New Year's Day and throughout the 12 Days of Christmas makes for a perfect start to the New Year. ☩ by Joseph Pronechen of National Catholic Register

Looking For A New Year’s Resolution? Give Up Politics

If we devote the year of 2019 to reading instead of binge watching, we might come into 2020 with more wisdom. ☩ by John Clark of National Catholic Register

At The End Of One Year & The Start Of Another: Stability Within The Cycle

Catholics find ourselves in the unfolding of the liturgy’s temporal and sanctoral cycle; we situate our lives upon a calendar that precedes and supersedes the civil calendar, and opens onto eternity. ☩ by Peter A. Kwasniewski, Ph.D., of New Liturgical Movement

Lose Weight, Workout. . .Or. . .Cleanse My Soul?

So, what is my resolution for this year going to be, you ask? It wasn’t until I found my faith at the ripe old age of 42 and started my journey deepening my relationship with God did things start to change for me. ☩ by Kendra Von Esh of Catholic Stand

Divini Cultus, Pope Pius XI’s Apostolic Constitution On Sacred Music

Divini Cultus, an Apostolic Constutition commemorateing 25th anniversary of Pius X’s Tra le sollecitudini. ☩ by Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

10 Modern Theologians, You Should Know

These thinkers to be tremendous influences on my own theological & spiritual life. ☩ Fr. John P. Cush, S.T.D., of National Catholic Register

Churches Worth Driving To

St. Peter Chaldean of El Cajon, California. The parish serves 5,000 Chaldean Catholics from Iraq. El Cajon has a large Chaldean population of 50,000, with another 10,000 in the surrounding San Diego area. Parishioners frequently rotate between parishes. ☩ from California Catholic Daily

In Festal White, Gold & Blue: Stunning 18th Century Chasuble From Moulins, France

☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

Contemplating The Eucharist As The Mystical Word Of God

☩ Stephen Beale of Catholic Exchange

Padre Pio The True Story; Off The Shelf With C. Bernard Ruffin

☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand

These Priests Made A Christmas Flash Mob On A Train In Rome!

☩ Jessica McAfee of epicPew

Mary, Mother Of God Readings Explained

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

Elizabeth's Faithful Witness In Barrenness & Then Pregnancy

☩ by Erin Cain of Ignitum Today

Will We Abandon Syria’s Christians?

☩ by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) J. Boykin & T. Weber of The Stream

TVESDAY EDITION Read More »

MONDAY EDITION

When God Says No (Credit: Public Domain/ChurchPOP)

“When God Says No”: 10 Ways to Make Petitionary Prayers More Effective

. . .the holiday season is an especially tempting time to liken God to Santa Claus. . .

. . .but God is not Santa Claus. . .

. . .neither is he a system to be manipulated with just the right formula.  God is personal, & prayer is about cultivating a relationship with Him. . .

. . .however, all relationships require some practical advice, including our relationship with God! . . .

by Simone Rizkallah,

of ChurchPOP

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
The Church Needs Saint Joseph’s Intercession – John Clark, National Catholic Register
Roger Mahony to Speak at 2019 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress – Jos. Sciambra
Why Clerical Corruption Does Not Justify Apostasy – Casey Chalk, Crisis Magazine
Advice for Transgender ‘Free Spirits’ – Michael Cook, Mercatornet
Science in the Unmaking – David Warren, The Catholic Thing
On Being Catholic Modern – James Matthew Wilson, The Catholic Thing
How a Faulty Organ Brought About a Beloved Christmas Carol – ChurchPOP
Stars in the Sunset – Nicholas Lye, Ignitum Today
When the Church is Silent, We Support the Killing of the Vulnerable – the Human Life Review
A Makeup (& Makeup Artist) for Catholic Women – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
Overwhelming Joy & the New Ark of the Covenant – Mark C. McCann, Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

MONDAY EDITION Read More »