Big Pulpit

Only Catholic College in Georgia Announces Exciting Relaunch Plans

. . .beginning in the fall of 2019, college-bound students will once again have a faithful Catholic option in Georgia, with the re-launch of Holy Spirit College’s undergraduate program. . . .

from the Newman Society

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Remembering Sophie Scholl’s Witness – Jay Copp, National Catholic Register
A Priest Preaches at a Funeral, the World Falls on His Head – Fr. Z’s Blog
What is the CDF for? – Fr. John Hunwicke, Fr Hunwicke’s Mutual Enrichment
Bishop Strickland: Receive Communion on the Tongue While Kneeling – Liturgy Guy
The Severed Holy Head of Saint Catherine of Siena – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
Newly Born Religious Groups, Strangled in Their Cradles – Fr. Z’s Blog
A 10-Point Primer on the Lord’s Prayer Kerfuffle – Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register
“Gay Lobby” in Argentina – Catholic Herald
Fast Growth in Paganism, Wicca (the Joke That is No Joke) – Fr. Z’s Blog
California College to Help Catholic Revival in New England – Kelly Salomon, Newman Society
Study Shows Young Adults Leaving Church Start Down That Path at Age 13 – CNS via Crux
Satanic Temple Displays “Snaketivity” Sculpture Near Nativity at Illinois Capitol – ChurchPOP
Christ & the Infused Moral Virtues – Fr. Joshua Neu, Catholic East Texas
Church on the Site of Jesus’ Birthplace Undergoes a Major Renovation – S. Beale, Aleteia
Relief For Your Gift Buying Stress – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
The Wit & Wisdom of Mother Angelica, Book Review – Joseph Pronechen, NC Register
3 Ways Catholics Can Better Fundraise in 2019 – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
The Site of Baptism of the Lord Nears Reopening as Landmines Cleared – CNA via The CWR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

10 Invigorating Quotes by St. John of the Cross to Strengthen Your Journey to Holiness

. . .1) “Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it”. . .

by ChurchPOP

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Consecrated Buildings & Their Officially Sponsored Profanation – P. Kwasniewski Ph.D., NLM
Other Modern: An Art Deco Inspired Solemn Mass Set – Shawn R. Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
Why Did 2nd Person of Trinity, Rather Than the Father/Holy Spirit, Become Incarnate? – CiM
Advent & Anti-Christ, Part II – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Holy Water History: Why Catholics Bless Themselves Entering a Church – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
What Were the “Minor Orders,” & Why Do They Matter? – Kevin Di Camillo, NC Register
A Franciscan Univ. of Steubenville Group Sends 50 Missionaries Worldwide – NC Register
Why I Came to Believe That Mary was Conceived Without Sin – Ler.Huizenga Ph.D., The CWR
The Markan Sandwich – Noel Ethan Tan, Ignitum Today
Possibly Lying in Confession? Help for the Scrupulous – Jimmy Akin, National Cthlc Register
A Medieval Liturgical Commentary on the O Antiphons – G. DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement
“God, Why ?” Questions, Part II – Guy McClung Ph.D. J.D., The American Catholic
Did You Know St. Dymphna is the Patroness of Mental Disorders? – Alex R. Hey, epicPew
Fr. George Rutler on Being a Priest-Writer: An Interview – K.V. Turley, Crisis Magazine
Count Neri Capponi, RIP – Gregory DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement
How to Understand Old Testament Prophecy – Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers Magazine
Hand Coloured 16th Century Pontificale Romanum – Shawn R. Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
Biblical Hebrew – the Gift of the Sublime Parole, Part I – Edouard Belaga Ph.D., Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The “Protestant” Catholics

by David Carlin,

of The Catholic Thing

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Why Are So Many Millennial Christians Confused About Homosexuality? – Mic. Brown Ph.D.
Vatican Announces New Three-Strikes Excommunication Policy (Satire) – Eye of the Tiber
Jesus was Not Crucified or Killed: Quran, Sura 4 – Steve Ray, Defenders of the Catholic Faith
Rudolph the Red-Nosed in Gregorian Chant – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Trail of Blood: Do Baptists Have a Claim to the Original Church? – Steve Ray, DotCF
The Catholic Crooner – Catholic Vote
Exploring Harmful Anger In & at Marriage & the Priesthood – R. Fitzgibbons M.D., H&PR
There Can Be No Justice Without Truth – Donald DeMarco, National Catholic Register
What Explains the Durable Popularity of Handel’s ‘Messiah’? – Richard Ostling, Get Religion
Forgiveness is Not Optional – Brian McShane, Catholic Stand
What’s the Difference between Crystals & Relics? – CNA via The Catholic World Report
The Tradition of the Christmas Crèche – Maria Augusta Von Trapp, Catholic Exchange
“Silent Night,” the Most Popular Song of All Time, is 200! – Patty Knap, Aleteia
Advent & John the Baptist – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Relief For Your Gift Buying Stress – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
The Symbolism of Light in Advent – Noelle Mering, Favorite Catholic Things
3 Ways Catholics Can Better Fundraise in 2019 – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
E.U. Bishops: Religious Freedom is a Human Right – Linda Bordoni, Vatican News
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

2 Prayers That Dads Should Memorize & Use Daily

. . .a Baptized man shares in the offices of Christ of priest, prophet, & king.  A Baptized man who is the father of children is a priest, prophet, & king in a particular way.  His house is his domestic church & his children are the flock that he shepherds.  So, what does this mean: prophet, king, & priest? . . .

by Will Wright,

of Catholic Link

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
The Mysterious Magi – Mystery Solved! – Pete Socks, Catholic Stand
Priests & Bishops Who are Probably Going to Hell – Fr. Z’s Blog
Boy Scouts of America: Get Woke & Go Broke – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The Amrcn Catholic
Pope Francis’s Warning – Charlotte Allen, First Things
Celebrity Priest Jimmy Martin Endorses Online Store That Supports Abortion – Micaiah Bilger
On Parishes With Short Confession Times – Elise Ehrhard, Crisis Magazine
Taking the Girl Out of Girl Scouts – Ben Butera, The American Catholic
Did Angels Really Carry the Holy House of Mary to Loreto, Italy? – CNA via The CWR
Have to Kill Me First: Florida Woman Refuses to Remove Guadalupe from Mobile Home – Crux
No, God Did Not %@$# the Virgin Mary – Katie Yoder, Catholic Vote
Byrne on Why Sex is Not a Social Construct – Edward Feser Ph.D.
Advent & the End Times: Refuting the Rapture Doctrine – Allison Low, Catholic Stand
Bookshop Outside Westminster Cathedral to Close After 90 Years – Catholic Herald
This Advent, Let Christ Heal Your Inner Darkness – Constance T. Hull, Catholic Exchange
Relief For Your Gift Buying Stress – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
Seeking God’s Grace-Filled Healing for Sex-Abuse Victims – Jeanette Flood, NC Register
3 Ways Catholics Can Better Fundraise in 2019 – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
More Than A Birdbath: The Real Mystical & Historical Saint Francis – Ryan Scheel, uCatholic
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

This is a Novus Ordo, the Vision Will Not Disappoint

. . .this photo was taken four years ago.  It was our first Christmas with the Communion rail. . .

by Father Richard Heilmann,

of Roman Catholic Man

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
An Innocent Bishop Acquitted, Did Anyone Notice? – Michael Cook, Mercatornet
So Fun! Watch These Two Nuns Take Each Other Down in Epic Snowball Fight! – ChurchPOP
Why a Major Story in Australia Isn’t Being Reported – Charles Collins, Crux
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport Appoints a Laywoman To Lead a Parish – Crux
Options Emerge for Handling the ‘Other Sexual-Abuse Crisis’ – Ed Condon J.C.L., NC Register
Reports of Cardinal Pell Guilty Verdict Emerge, Despite Gag Order – E. Condon J.C.L., NCRgstr
Under Attack, the Eucharist Needs Defenders – Tom Hoopes, Aleteia
Millions Will Visit a Church at Christmas, Tips To Make Sure They Come Back! – Catholic Link
Deliver Me, Jesus: The Litany Of Humility – Jessica Fahy, Catholic Exchange
Are You a Teacher? Try This Litany of Fortitude Asking for Strength Thru the School Day – CP
To Rekindle Our Amazement – Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, Catholic East Texas
On My Homestead, Advent is Thick & Heavy in Nature – Jason Craig, Catholic Exchange
Make the Sign of the Cross & Start Your Day Right – Pamela Mandela, Catholic Stand
Are Moral Absolutes Unfair to Individuals in Difficult Cases? – Marie Tejklova, Crisis Magazine
Video: Why Does Good Liturgy Matter – Brian Holdsworth, uCatholic
Kindness – Nicholas Lye, Ignitum Today
Irish Midwives & Nurses Join Doctors in Abortion Bill Protest – CNA via The CWR
Making a Plan for Advent – Joannie Watson, Integrated Catholic Life™
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The Culture War Neutron Bomb

. . .Ross Douthat recently wrote that Aldous Huxley was the real prophet who foresaw what we’ve become: a society of tech-addled wankers. . .

by Rod Dreher,

Aztecs, Human Sacrifice & the Catholic Faith – Steve Ray, Defenders of the Catholic Faith
A Stunning New Exhibit about Armenia Illuminates the World’s First Christian Nation – CJ
Rome’s Catacombs Witness to the Catholic Faith of the Early Church – Stephen Beale, Aleteia
Helping the Poles Throw Off Moscow’s Yoke – Seth G. Jones, Law and Liberty
Can America Become a Christian Society Again? – Thomas Ascik, The Imaginative. . .
Religion Declining in Importance for Many Americans, Especially for Millennials – Jana Riess
Why Catholics Should Sympathize with Nationalism – James Kalb, Crisis Magazine
U.K.’s Aging Issues – Marcus Roberts, Mercatornet
Will White House Sacrifice Thousands of Christians in Syria, To Appease Turks? – The Stream
China’s Regional Demographics – Marcus Roberts, Mercatornet
Syria & the Unintended Effects of Toppling Evil Tyrants in the Middle East – Mercatornet
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Support the Anglican Patrimony Within the Catholic Church

. . .a number of Catholics have asked me if there are traditional, orthodox, & reverent societies that celebrate the Holy Mass in English.  The answer, of course, is yes! . . .

by Shane Schaetzel,

of Complete Christianity

A Warning from the Anglican Communion – The Anglicanorum Coetibus Society Blog
Breathtaking Digital Recreation of 17th-Century London Won 1st Prize – J-P Mauro, Aleteia
God Created Them Man & Woman, the Church of England Knew Better – Mat. Archbold, CMR
As a Historically Black Episcopal Church Closes, Others Face Strong Headwinds – Y. Shimron
Elsewhere: An Anglo-Catholic Designer You Should Know – Rick Yoder, The Amish Catholic
Church of England Transgender ‘Confirmation’ – Rod Dreher, The American Conservative
I’m Grateful for the Hurdles the Catholic Church Placed for Me to Enter as an Anglican – TACS
Anglican & Catholic? – Charles A. Coulombe, The Anglicanorum Cœtibus Society Blog
The Journey Home Features “Anglican Ordinariate” Member – Deborah Gyapong, TACS
Coleridges & Billabongs – Fr. John Hunwicke, Fr Hunwicke’s Mutual Enrichment
Two New Chant Projects for the Ordinariates – Steven Rabanal, The Acolyte’s Toolbox
George Bush, Global Leader, & Episcopalian – Mark Tooley, Providence
Ordinariate Events in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania & Louisville, Kentucky – New Liturgical Mvmnt
A Day in a Life of a Hospital Chaplain – Deborah Gyapong, The Anglicanorum Coetibus Society
Professor Feulner Receives a Second Knighthood for Work With Catholic Church – TACS
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Democrat Representative Ted Lieu: ‘I Would Love’ To Regulate Speech

. . .“I would love to be able to regulate the content of speech,” Lieu said.  “The First Amendment prevents me from doing so & that’s simply a function of the First Amendment”. . .

by Bre Payton,

of The Federalist

Local Catholic Hopeful Abortion Gone After Kavanaugh Sides w/Planned Parenthood (Satire)
Inside Amazon – Dan Hitchens, First Things
Fighting the Dehumanizing Democrats Since 1854 – Fr. Richard Heilmann, Roman Cthlc Man
Medical Expert Confirms Unborn Children Feel Excruciating Pain During Abortions – Lif News
Green Madness – Jerry Weinberger, City Journal
The Conundrum of Progressivism – James Kalb, Crisis Magazine
Catholic Elected as Leader of Germany’s Largest Party – CNA via The Catholic World Report
What Does it Mean to Fight for Your Faith in a Secular Culture? – Ted Flynn, Signs & Wonders
Can There Be a Moderate Feminism? – Scott Yenor Ph.D., Public Discourse
Conservative Democracy – Yoram Hazony, First Things
What Socialism Owes Christianity – David Byrne, Crisis Magazine
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Parish Priest Faced With Declining Parish Gives Homily Every Priest Needs To Hear

. . .it is no secret that in many (if not most) Catholic diocese across the county, attendance for Sunday Mass has been in steep decline for the last 50 years.  Some would even say the deadline has been precipitous in the post-conciliar-church. . .

from uCatholic

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
The Mysterious Image in the Eyes of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Joan Lewis, Joan’s Rome
An Inside Look at the Hidden Symbols Found in Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Image – Aleteia
Study: 92% Single Catholics Stop Praying for Spouse Seconds Before God Answers (Satire)
Avarice: The Secret Sin that Owns Us – Jason Craig, The Catholic Gentleman
Pope Francis on the ‘Gay Mentality’ That Has ‘Influenced the Church’ – Fr. R. Landry, NC Reg
The Miraculous Roses of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Patti Maguire Armstrong, NC Register
Our Lady of Guadalupe: Miracles, Facts & Fancy – Donald R. McClarey J.D., TACatholic
10 Simple Ways to Grow in Prayer – Fr. Ed Broom O.M.V., Catholic Exchange
Now a C6, Pope’s Advisory Council Sees Three Members Go – M. de Vries, In Caelo et in Terra
The Myths That Sustained the Work of Tolkien & Lewis – Francis Phillips, Catholic Herald
Did Charles Dickens have a Vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary? – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Can the Guadalupe Tilma Make An Atheist Convert?! 5 Signs That It’s Possible – Catholic Link
The Case Against CRISPR Babies – Nicanor Austriaco, First Things
A Marvelous Advent Poem – Michael Rennier, Dappled Things
Living Advent With Mary ‘In Haste’ – Edward Sri, National Catholic Register
Council of Cardinal Advisors (C9) Wrap-Up December Meeting – Linda Bordoni, Vatican News
Nicaragua Diocese Feels the Effect of the Clash between Regime & Protestors – Crux
Finding Sacred Time During the Holidays – Jeannie Ewing, Catholic Exchange
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The Return of Paganism

. . .maybe there actually is a genuinely post-Christian future for America. . .

by Ross Douthat,

of The New York Times

Refuting a Pastor’s ‘Dark Ages’ Myths – Trent Horn, Catholic Answers Magazine
Riots In France Not Just About Gas Taxes, But About The West’s Decline – Auguste Meyrat
Orban vs. Soros University – Rod Dreher, The American Conservative
France: A Tale of Two Faiths – William Kilpatrick, Crisis Magazine
New Study Records Islamization Process in Ancient Christian Lands – Casey Chalk, Crisis
‘The Great Awokening’: The Threat of America’s New Political Religions – J. Sunde, Powerblog
Egypt Proposes Scary New Population Control Measures – Shannon Roberts, Mercatornet
Who Needs The Temple Mount? — Ianto Watt, Statistician to the Stars!
Why Putin’s Game of Russian Roulette With Ukraine is a Big Deal – Douglas V. Mastriano
A Gunman Who Attacked Christmas Market in France Yelled “Allahu Akbar” – Aleteia
The Winter of Love – Matthew Schmitz, First Things
Enforceable Subjectivity – Theodore Dalrymple, City Journal
Protest of the French Provinces – Nathan Pinksoski, First Things
Macron’s Failures – Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review
Remembering – & Still Learning from – Solzhenitsyn – Douglas Kries, The Catholic Thing
In Europe, Faith’s Stronger in Post-Soviet East Than Secular West – Claire Giangravè, Crux
Euthanasia Deaths in Quebec Rising Rapidly – Michael Cook, Mercatornet
Shooting Near Christmas Market in France – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Christmas Market Shooting Suspect Fits the Familiar Criminal-Jihadist Profile – France24
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

The Vlaming Children’s Christmas

. . .I wrote the other day about a Virginia school board firing veteran teacher Peter Vlaming over his refusal to call a biological girl by a masculine pronoun.  He was willing to use the child’s new masculine name, but would not say “he” or “him.”  In this Virginia Gazette story about a student walkout in support of the fired teacher, we learn what exactly it was that triggered the dismissal.  You are not going to believe this. . .

by Rod Dreher

Is Kavanaugh Keeping a Promise to Pro-Choice Susan Collins? – John Zmirak Ph.D., The Strm
And Now, England – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
At Trump’s Hotel, Spiritual Warriors Pray for the President in His ‘Darkest Hour’ – J. Jenkins
Justice Thomas Blasts Supreme Court for Sidestepping Planned Parenthood – David L. Gray
13 Illustrations of the Benevolence of Capitalism – George Reisman, Mises Institute
A Way Back From Secularism – Rev. Anthony Perkins, Acton Institute
The Transgender Movement Is Not Interested In Compromise – John D. Davidson, The Fdrlst
Why Spiritual People More Inclined to Embrace Free Markets Than Materialists – J. Miltimore
Why the Poor in Free Nations Have Incomes 8x Higher Than Poor in Least Free – E. Andreou
Texas GOP Dispute Pits Religious Freedom Against Claims of ‘Stealth Jihad’ – Bobby Ross Jr.
US Supreme Court Will Not Hear Case of States Defunding Planned Parenthood – NCRegister
Free Will and the Market Place – Frank Chodorov, Mises Wire
2019: What’s Next for Religious Freedom? Faith Leaders & Policymakers Weigh In – K. Dallas
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Why Traditional Hymns are Superior to Modern Ones

. . .I’m sometimes accused, when I write about bad hymns, of wanting to impose a single style upon everyone.  That’s strange.  It’s like saying that all classical music sounds the same; Bach, Brahms, Dvorak, Debussy, all the same.  I point out that the hymns in a good hymnal were composed over a period of 1,600 years.  I say that their melodies come in a staggering variety: medieval chant (The Golden Sequence), German chorale (Christ Lag in Todesbanden), American revival songs (“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”), English anthems (Silver Street), French carols (Quem Pastores), & so on.  A folk melody from Ireland is not the same as one from Wales, let alone Poland. . .

by Anthony M. Esolen, Ph.D.,

of Crisis Magazine

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Bishops Unbound – Bronwen Catherine McShea, First Things
Pp. Francis: Our Father Should Say “Abandon Us Not When in Temptation” – Fr. Schneider L.C.
A Holiday Meal, Same-Sex Attraction & Catholicism – Richard G. Evans, Catholic Stand
Despair & False Doctrine – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Two-Word Advent Campaign Spreads Around the World – Joseph Pronechen, NC Register
Do Wives Have to Be ‘Submissive’? – Todd Aglialoro, Catholic Answers Magazine
New Book: Annibale Bugnini: Reformer of the Liturgy by Yves Chiron – P. Kwasniewski Ph.D.
Would Jesus Have Come If Adam Had Not Sinned? – Msgr. Charles Pope
Brave New World-Trans Edition – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
What is a Lay ‘Parish Life Coordinator’? A CNA Explainer – The Catholic World Report
They Were All Praying: Gunman Kills 4 at Daily Mass in Brazil Cathedral – ChurchPOP
Tolkien, Chesterton, & the Adventure of Mission – Auxiliary Bishop Robert R. Barron S.T.D.
A Beautiful Contemporary Anglo-Byzantine (Romanesque) Style Icon – New Liturgical Mvmnt
Telling the Story of the Shroud of Turin – Jim Graves, National Catholic Register
Our Lady of Guadalupe: Empress of the Americas – CNA via The Catholic World Report
Christmas Ideas: 5 Great Books About Saints Who Inspire – Kathy Schiffer, NC Register
Have a Merry Catholic Christmas; Off the Shelf 102 with Fr. William P. Saunders – Pete Socks
Wait, What!? We Can Be Saints? How? – Bernz Caasi, Ignitum Today
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time