Big Pulpit

The Veiled Virgin: Another Miracle of Transparent Marble

. . .while marble busts of veiled women were quite popular in the 19th century, Strazza’s Veiled Virgin was deemed “a perfect gem of art”. . .

by Daniel Esparza,

of Aleteia

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
This Evening I Saw the Future of the Church: The Traditional Latin Mass – Fr. R. Cipolla
What Might Be in Store at the End of Fatima’s 100 Years? – Jos. Pronechen, NC Register
Modernism Among Trads – Jay Toups, Hope in the Storm
The Good Old Days? – J. Budziszewski Ph.D., Underground Thomist
Bishop Genn of Münster’s Fear of Traditionalists – Joseph Shaw, LMS Chairman
The Demonic Presence Behind Real-life Wizards, Witches & Warlocks – Aleteia
Does God Punish to the Fourth Generation? – Dave Armstrong, National Catholic Register
Sacraments & Hypocrites – David G. Bonagura Jr., The Catholic Thing
Evangelicals Bring the Votes, Catholics Bring the Brains – Gene Zubovich, Aeon
Transgender Treatment Plan – Cana Vox, Mercatornet
Pittsburgh Diocese Begins Years-long Parish Consolidation Process – CNA via The CWR
A Pilgrimage Thru Scotland’s Ruggedly Beautiful Orkney Islands – Z. Caldwell, Aleteia
Color Blind Priest Having Trouble Doing The Red, Saying The Black (Satire) – EOTT
What Gosnell Censors Don’t Want You to See is True-Crime Abortion Drama – H. Scheer
The Long Blazer: Your New “Go-To” Jacket – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
How the Old Mass Came to Balham – Stuart Reid, Catholic Herald
Meet Your New Best Friend: The Fundraising Pyramid – Brice Sokolowski
Gosnell Film Reminds America Abortion Has Killed Over 60M Unborn Babies – Life News
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Internet Melts Over Image of Young Father Kneeling in Prayer by His Newborn Son

. . .an incredible fear came over me . . . so I got over my embarrassment & just knelt down & talked to God. . .

via Aleteia

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
She’s a Pro-Life Democratic, Why Can’t New York Times Say She’s Catholic? – Julia Duin
First Ursuline House in North America Abandoned by Last ‘Sisters’ – Rorate Cæli
Australia, Prepare for Persecution – Campbell Markham, Mercatornet
Reclaiming the Household – John Cuddeback Ph.D., First Things
Scotland’s New ‘Anti-Hate’ Campaign Threatens Christians – Chris Queen
Fr. John Barth, Maryknoller Missionary in Africa – Jim Graves, National Catholic Register
Pro-Abortion Witches Plan Public “Hex Ritual” to Curse Justice Kavanaugh – C. Vazquez
Gosnell Film Touched Me 1st Time I Saw It, Seared My Soul 2nd Time – Ma. Gallagher
Be a Father Who Plays – Cameron Murray, Catholic Exchange
Vandals Target Old Mission Santa Barbara Again – California Catholic Daily
School Offers Spiritual Direction for Every Student – R. Scott, Southern Nbrsk Register
Unmasking Evil: Filmmakers Expose Horrific Truth in Gosnell Film – K.V. Turley, NCRgstr
The Long Blazer: Your New “Go-To” Jacket – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
What Does the Word “Halloween” Mean? – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Report on Campus Ministry Highlights Opportunity & Unmet Needs – CNA via The CWR
So. Korean Bishop: Before Pope Plans Trip, Things in No. Korea Should Change – CWR
Meet Your New Best Friend: The Fundraising Pyramid – Brice Sokolowski
Red China Says Muslim Internment Camps are ‘Free Vocational Training’ – France 24
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Why Women Are Wearing a Chapel Veil Again

. . .a resurgence in the optional devotion of wearing a mantilla, or chapel veil, has many people in the pew scratching their heads.  Why would women, especially younger women, return to a practice that is described as submissive & subordinate?  The answer to this question lies in the motivation leading to the devotion.  It may be simpler to address the mistaken intentions often directed at the ladies who make the leap. . .

by Birgit Jones,

of Catholic Life in Our Times

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Jazz Jennings & The American [Transgender] Dream – Rod Dreher
Is It Morally Licit to Smoke Pot? – E. Christian Brugger, National Catholic Register
Chief Who Was Fired for Marriage Views Wins Major 1st Amendment Victory – M. Burke
This is What Happens to “Disturbers of the [False] Peace” – Mark Lambert
Desiring Martyrdom – Brother Elijah Dubek O.P., Dominicana
Cath. Univ. Prof. Leads Response to Pres. Macron Remark on Large Families – The CWR
Here are 8 Obscure Saints With October Feast Days, Recognize Any? – C. Langr, epicPew
Push Back Against Transgenderism, on Campus & Elsewhere – Daniel Payne, The Coll. Fix
LGBT Media Runs w/Unsubstantiated ‘Hate Crime’ Stories Despite Red Flags – C. Greene
The Catholic Origins of Trick-Or-Treating – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque – D.R. McClarey J.D., TACatholic
Canadian Hospital May Soon Euthanize Kids, Without Parental Consent – Nancy Flory
Pres. Macron: Large African Families are Due to Lack of Education – Mercatornet
No, Suburban Women Don’t Love Abortion; Fact: Vote Pro-Life – B. Lewis & M. Lamb
Bringing Eucharistic Adoration to the Country, 177 Stops at a Time – Jim Graves, Aleteia
Argentine Church Mustn’t be Cowed by Violent Feminist Attacks – Fr A Lucie-Smith PhD
The Virtue of Apprenticeship – Robert I. Lerman, The American Interest
Red Chinese Bishops at Synod Invite Pope to Make Landmark Visit – Philip Pullela
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Is the Youth Synod’s Final Document Already Written?

. . .shortly after the youth synod began, Edward Pentin, the authoritative chronicler of the family synod’s rigging, reported that an Italian cardinal close to Pope Francis had prophesied a great “surprise,” convinced that the pope would “for sure invent something.”  Pentin said some sources had indicated that the final document’s main substance was in fact already written, hence the synod’s deep secrecy, missing mid-term report, & nebulous voting procedures. . .

by Julia Meloni,

of Crisis Magazine

It’s All or Nothing – Robert Royal Ph.D., The Catholic Thing
Archbishop Chaput Interviewed by The Pill; #sodoclericalism – Fr. Z’s Blog
Me & the Church the Church & Me – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Synod, Homosexuality, & LGBT Ideology; A Critical Voice f/Australia – Sandro Magister
Leading Pro-Lifer: Synod Political Mess of Leftist Talking Points – Mark Lambert
Card. Sarah: Watering Down Teaching Won’t Attract Young People – Catholic Herald
Synod Father: Teach Life Issues With Greater Clarity Than Ever – Edward Pentin
Letters from the Synod: October 17 – Xavier Rynne II, Catholic Herald
Lessons Synod May Draw f/JP2, Greatest Youth Minister in Recent History – Geo. Weigel
Letters from the Synod: October 16 – Xavier Rynne II, Catholic Herald
Conscience & Vocational Discernment Figure in Latest Small Group Reports – E. Pentin
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Islamists Vow to Kill a Christian Woman if a Pakistan Court Acquits Her

. . .accused of blasphemy, Asia Bibi has languished on death row in Lahore since 2010. . .

by Marlo Safi

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Jesuit Superior Says Pope is Not ‘Chief’ of the Church, What Did He Mean? – The CWR
She Tried to Get Democratics to Accept Pro-Lifers, Her Life was Threatened – M. Bilger
Pro-Lifer Praying at P.P. Assaulted, Taken to Hospital After Blow to His Face – M. Bilger
How Medieval Rabbis Influenced Their Christian Peers’ Bible Commentaries – Mosaic
The Red Hat Report: Should Laypeople Investigate Cardinals? – J. Roberts, NC Register
Neutral or Slanted: Texas Newspaper on Pastors Gp’s Lawsuit on Gay Hiring – R. Ross Jr.
Pro-life ‘Gosnell’ Film Scores at the Box Office – Zelda Caldwell, Aleteia
The Long Blazer: Your New “Go-To” Jacket – Meghan Ashley Styling (Catholic)
Media Wants to Ignore Gosnell Film, Christians Shouldn’t – Alex Chediak, The Stream
Is Central Asia Becoming a Model for Religious Tolerance? – tsarizm
#BigFertility: A New Documentary on Surrogacy – Jn. Grondelski, National Cthlc Register
China Says Camps for Muslims Lead Them to ‘Modern’ Life – Yanan Wang, The Stream
The Leaders Who Unleashed China’s Mass Detention of Muslims – Ch. Buckley, NY Times
Archdiocese Confirms Apparent Murder of Mexican Priest – CNA via The C. World Report
Respect for Dignity of Every Human: First Pillar of Decent Society – Nat. Peters Ph.D.
Taiwan Offers Second Invitation to Pope Following Vatican-China Deal – The C. Wor Rep
Meet Your New Best Friend: The Fundraising Pyramid – Brice Sokolowski
Is the Vatican Accord with China a Step Forward or Back? – I. Murzaku, The Cthlc Thing
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Stigmatic, Healer, & Visionary from Michigan

. . .the modest man who many have not heard about has amazing touched the lives of tens of thousands, suffering, & healing so many of them. . .

by Joseph Pronechen,

of the National Catholic Register

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Wuerl I, Wuerl II, & Wuerl III – Kenneth J. Wolfe, Rorate Cæli
Priest’s Body Found in Rosarito, Archdiocese of Tijuana – California Catholic Daily
Violent Pro-Abortion Rally Ends with Abortionists Throwing Bombs at Church – M. Bilger
heterodox Franciscans & Freemasons Begin Joint Conference – The Eponymous Flower
What Gosnell’s Pro-Choice Libertarian Actor Dean Cain Says about the Film – N. Russell
Is Salvation Possible Outside of the Catholic Church? – D. Burke, Cthlc Spiritual Direction
Let’s Talk about the Future of SQPN – Domenico Bettinelli, JimmyAkin.Com
10 Forgotten & Overlooked Marian Feast Days to Bring Back – Melissa Guerrero, epicPew
Transcending Temptations: Advice from St. Margaret Ma. Alacoque – Sister Phillips VHM
2019 L.A. Religious Ed. Congress Again Has Fr. James Martin, Gay Activists – J Sciambra
Media Ignore Gosnell Film, But Viewers Give It 99% Rating at Rotten Tomatoes – G. Hays
Bishop Joseph R. Cistone of Saginaw Dies After Cancer Battle – C. Waterman, Mich. Live
Iraq Cardinal: Pres. Trump has Done Nothing to Help Christians – Inés San Martín, Crux
Manuel Farrugia: Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila – Shawn R. Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
Saint Thérèse, Teacher, & Thaumaturga – Fr. Roger J. Landry, Integrated Catholic Life™
Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Gerard Majella – Donald R. McClarey J.D., TACatholic
Tithing Goes Digital: Parishes Adapt to Cashless Society – Peter Jesserer Smith, NC Rgstr
Pope Francis: The Poor Cannot Wait – Lydia O’Kane, Vatican News
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Venerable Sandra Sabattini, a Modern Saint for Young People

. . .she continues to offer a witness through her normal yet countercultural life. . .

by Theresa Civantos Barber,

of Aleteia

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Even Now Thousands of Americans Converting to Catholicism Every Year – Boston Globe
Court Sides With Doctor Fired for Refusing to Do Abortions – Life News
The Roots of Modernism – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Planned Parenthood’s Master Plan on How to Abort Babies if Roe Overturned – M. Bilger
The Catholic Meaning Behind Common Halloween Symbols – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Gosnell: A Movie Review – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Abortionists Slam Pope for Calling Abortion Like “Hiring a Hitman” – Micaiah Bilger
“Pro-Life” Joe Manchin Now Tied with Pro-Life Patrick Morrissey – Jason Hopkins
The Rise of the Gnostic Liberal State After Christianity  – Andrew Latham, Touchstone
Should You Marry Someone With Different Beliefs? – Brian Holdsworth, uCatholic
YouTube Powers Brazil’s Catholic Wave – Silvio Simonetti, Acton Institute
Cardinal Wuerl Is Out. . . Or Is He? – Megan Fox
Politics as the New Religion for Progressive Democrats – Emma Green, The Atlantic
On Romero & Paul VI, & Their Surprising Affinity for Opus Dei – John L. Allen Jr., Crux
Marriage & the Juridical Relevance of Pastoral Language – Homiletic & Pastoral Review
American Pastor Released in Turkey After Years in Detention – CNA via The CWR
New Documentary with Rare Interview of Oscar Romero – Junno Arocho Esteves, Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

No Catholicism, Please, We’re British

. . .the former Archbishop of Canterbury, 2018:  The former head of the Anglican Communion has joined Richard Dawkins in attacking a policy that would allow the Catholic Church to open new schools. . .

by Rod Dreher

Keep Calm & Catholic On – Foster Lerner M.D. D.O., The Anglicanorum Coetibus Society
Neutering God in the Anglican Church – Rod Dreher
Philip James French: the Fake Catholic Bishop of Whitby – Anglicanorum Coetibus Soc.
Bishop Lopes at the Canadian Bishops’ Conference – Deborah Gyapong
The Beauty of the Anglican Usage Liturgy (the Ordinariate) – Robert Kurland Ph.D.
Dr. ‘Patrimony’ Jalland & Jalland Continues & Jalland Again – Fr. John Hunwicke
A Tale from the Spiritual Trenches of the Ordinariates – Foster Lerner M.D. D.O.
Franciscans Return to Walsingham for the First Time in 480 years – Catholic Herald
Benedictine Patronage & Devotion: Curious & Beautiful Pulpit Near Norwich – M.C.A.
Domne Eafe’s Deer – A Clerk of Oxford
Some Liturgical Effects of Blessed John Henry Newman – Liturgical Arts Journal
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

#Synod2018: Wherein Fr. Zed Rants

. . .“If I ought to write the truth, I am of the mind that I ought to flee all meetings of bishops, because I have never seen any happy or satisfactory outcome to any council, nor one that has deterred evils more than it has occasioned their acceptance & growth.” – St. Gregory Nazianzus. . .

by Father John Zuhlsdorf,

of Fr. Z’s Blog

Synod 2018: Embarrassing Cronies Contradicting the Faith – Mark Lambert
Shadow Over the Synod – Christopher R. Altieri, Catholic Herald
A Synod on “The Benedict Option”? The Analysis of a Church Historian – San. Magister
Vatican Confirms Synod’s Final Report to Be Voted Part by Part – H. Brockhaus, NCRgstr
Bishop Barron at Synod of Bishops: Young People are ‘Hungry for Mission’ – Cthlc Herald
Who Will Draft the Youth Synod’s Final Report? – Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic Herald
Abp. Fisher of Sydney is Right: Youth Want Clear, Challenging Teaching – Fr. Lucie-Smith
If Dognetus & Bernanos were Synod Fathers – Peter D. Beaulieu, The CWR
Synod Youth Say Scandals Haven’t Taken Away Their Faith – Elise Harris, Crux
Face Abuse ‘Head-on,’ Don’t ‘Run & Hide’ Synod Youth Say – Inés San Martín, Crux
Synod Struggles to Hear the Voice of People with Disabilities – Inés San Martín, Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

A Great Orthodox Schism

. . .the Russian Orthodox Church has formally cut all ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul. . .

by Rod Dreher

Russian Orthodox Church Breaks with Constantinople – David M. Herszenhorn, Politico
Has Moscow Undermined Ability to Engender Schism – S. Mitralexis, Public Orthodoxy
Iraqi Muslim Family Kept Sacred Christian Books Hidden from ISIS – John Burger, Aleteia
The Vale of Abraham – David Bentley Hart, Public Orthodoxy
Orthodox Stand-off Over Ukraine is More Than Just Religion – Fr. A. Lucie-Smith Ph.D.
Ukrainian Autocephaly is Vindication for Those Who Read – J. Tse, Eastern Cthlc Person
Ecumenical Patriarch Grants Autocephaly to Kiev, Snubs Moscow – Catholic Herald
What Do Tensions of Orthodox Believers Mean for Modern Christianity – Calif. C. Daily
Can History Solve the Conflict about Ukrainian Autocephaly? – Public Orthodoxy
Constantinople’s Important Decision & Reaction in Moscow  – Il Sismorafo
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time