Big Pulpit

VVEDNESDAY EXTRA

Pope Benedict XVI with his books (Credit: Settimo Cielo via L’Espresso)

. . .Glory To God, That There May Be Peace on Earth.  A Never-Before-Published Text From Pope Benedict XVI. . .

via L’Espresso

Pass the Torch – Protect the Parish – Dom Cingoranelli, Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

VVEDNESDAY EXTRA Read More »

VVEDNESDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Before & After at St. Mark’s in Peoria, Illinois, America (Credit: Liturgical Arts Journal)

Before & After: St. Mark’s in Peoria, Illinois

. . .this particular renovation took place at St Mark’s Catholic Church in Peoria, Illinois & was the first full-scale church renovation done by Murals by Jericho (MBJ, an Architectural & Arts Business Apostolate); one that, by all accounts, was a smashing success. . .


Christianity & the Radical Transformation of Culture – Paul Krause, Crisis Magazine
Honolulu Bishop Appeals for Prayers as Volcano Erupts – Joan Frawley Desmond, NCRg
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

VVEDNESDAY AFTERNOON EDITION Read More »

VVEDNESDAY MORNING EDITION

Screen Shot of Timothy Cardinal Dolan (Credit: deaconcast.com)

Make Catholicism Weird Again

. . .the Catholic response to the Met Gala itself, which consisted of an institutional blessing for the spectacle — not just Timothy Cardinal Dolan opening the museum exhibit, but the Sistine Chapel Choir performing for the swells & starlets in the evening — followed by an angry Catholic social-media backlash against the evening’s various impieties.  When a living faith gets treated like a museum piece, it’s hard for its adherents to know whether to treat the moment as an opportunity for outreach or for outrage. . .

by Ross Douthat,

of The New York Times

That “Catholic” Fashion Met Gala – Fr. Z’s Blog
Did You Know . . .  Isaac Was Not a Child? – Scott Smith J.D., All Roads Lead to Rome
Abortionists Demand Google Remove Pregnancy Cents. from Search Results – M. Bilger
5 Conditions for Good Confession, In One Infographic – ChurchPop
5 Founding Sisters Reveal How God Called Them to Religious Life – Jim Graves, NC Reg
Eyes That Watch For God – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
This Church is Said to be Consecrated by St. Michael the Archangel – Philip Kosloski
Mercy vs. Truth: The Mark of Hypocrisy – Jeffrey A. Mirus Ph.D., Catholic Culture
My Chat with Jennifer Fulwiler: How Fashion Will Change Your Life! – Meghan Ashley
How to Deal with Distractions During Prayer, by St. Therese of Lisieux – Philip Kosloski
Trent Horn is Creating The Counsel of Trent Podcast – Trent Horn, Patreon
15 Steps to Discovering the Power of Prayer – Fr. Ed Broom O.M.V., Catholic Exchange
What is Man? – Christian Daru, Catholic Stand
Perpetual Virginity of Mary: “Holy Ground” – Dave Armstrong, Natl Catholic Register
Catholicism, Fundraising, Book Launches, & Overcoming Struggles – Brice Sokolowski
Rise of Gender Ideology is Worrying, say English & Welsh Bishops – Catholic Herald
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

VVEDNESDAY MORNING EDITION Read More »

TVESDAY EXTRA

A Screen Shot of a Partial Image of The Seven Liberal Arts by Giovanni di Ser Giovanni (a.k.a., Lo Scheggia), c. A.D. 1460 [National Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona] (Credit: The Catholic Thing)

On an Illiberal Education

. . .The Wall Street Journal editorial (April 20) commented on Reed College’s capitulation to student “bullies,” as it called them:  “This (campus protest) is about blocking the study of core texts of Western Civilization.  That Reed College would agree to this, and, especially under political pressure, is an insult to the meaning of a liberal arts degree”. . .

by Father James V. Schall, S.J.,

of The Catholic Thing

New Rituals for Self-Worship (NSFW) – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Marriage Matters: All Living Arrangements Are Not Equal – Marcia Segelstein, NC Rgstr
Internet Pornography, Akin to Cocaine – Nicole M. King & Bryce J. Christensen, TNF
Angels in the Early Church – Fr. John Horgan, Catholic Exchange
Things Appear To Be Getting Worse for Catholics in China – Sandro Magister, SC
How Ferrero Rocher Chocolates were Inspired by the Virgin Mary – Zelda Caldwell
How Is The Culture War Fought? – Ben Domenech, The Federalist

A Forgotten Feast – Rick Yoder, The Amish Catholic
How Should Catholics Deal with Addiction? – Francis Phillips, Catholic Herald
“Nones” Get Their Own Caucus in Congress – John Burger, Aleteia
AMA Rebuffs Advocates of Physician-Assisted Suicide – Cullen Herout, Crisis Magazine
A Bone of Pope St. Clement is Found in a Waste Bin – Nick Hallett, Catholic Herald
Time to Log Off – a Digital Diet – Carolyn Moynihan, Mercatornet
Do You Love Me More Than These? – Alita Maria Covel Ngo O.C.D.S., Catholic Stand
Prelude to a ‘Miracle’: Korean Peace – Victor Gaetan, National Catholic Register
Could What Happened to Alfie Evans Happen Here in America? – Nancy Valko, Life Nws
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

TVESDAY EXTRA Read More »

TVESDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

St. Marys College of California (Credit: First Things)

The Dark Secret of Saint Mary’s College

. . .a troubling exchange between two professors at my university, St. Mary’s College of California.  One professor mentioned a student who advocated Nazi eugenics as a viable social solution for America.  The other, unsurprised, said he regularly receives essays on race & gender theories championed by the alt-right. . .

by Kate Arenchild,

of First Things

Why Are So Many Catholics Embarrassed by Converts? – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Announcing a New Contemplative Religious Community of Men – P. Kwasniewski Ph.D.
Church Coffee Shops are Creating a Stir in Their Parishes – Cerith Gardiner, Aleteia
My Chat with Jennifer Fulwiler: How Fashion Will Change Your Life! – Meghan Ashley
Was a Memoir of a Jewish Boy ‘Kidnapped’ by the Pope Doctored? – Joan F. Desmond
Exclusive Photos: The Sisters of Life are Moving Into Manhattan! – Jeffrey Bruno, Alet.
Becoming True Men of Christ: The Quest for Manliness – Matthew B. Rose, Cthlc Exchng
How to Be A Living Sign of Beauty in the Desert of Secular Culture – Dav. Clayton, NLM
Pp. Francis & Card. Marx Deliver Contrasting Takes on Marxism – Inés San Martín, Crux
New Statutes for Laity, Family, & Life Dicastery Reveal Priorities – Edw. Pentin, NC Reg
Jerónimos Monastery: A Tour de Force of Liturgical Arts – J.P. Sonnen, Ltrgcl Arts Jour.
The Laity Should Be Consulted on Church Decisions, Say Theologians – Cn. Wooden, CH
Bogus Vatican Deal Confirms Saudis’ Religious Freedom Headache – John Allen, Crux
The Church’s Answer to Cosmopolitanism – James Kalb J.D., Crisis Magazine
The Father’s Love in the Trinity & in the Family – Deacon Jim Dougherty S.O.L.T., CS
Mercy, Justice, & Grace in “Suits” – Jean Elizabeth Seah, Ignitum Today
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

TVESDAY AFTERNOON EDITION Read More »

TVESDAY MORNING EDITION

Storming of the Teocalli by Hernán Cortés & His Troops’ by Emanuel Leutze A.D. 1848 (Credit: Catholic Herald)

Was the Spanish Empire All Bad? I’m Not So Sure

. . .archaeologists have recently uncovered evidence of the mass child sacrifice in pre-Christian Peru. . .

by Father Alexander Lucie-Smith, Ph.D.,

of Catholic Herald

The Spirit of Vatican II Effect: Popular Catholic Blogger Goes Orthodox – Dv. Griffey, DF
Another Gross Vatican Gaffe in Handling Sex-Abuse Complaints – Phil Lawler, Cthlc Cltr
YouTube Closes Pro-Life Account, Calls Videos “Harmful”, “Dangerous” – D. White JD
The New York Times: Abstinence Education is “Anti-Science” – Mat. Archbold, CMR
Which Is the Smallest & Most Rejected Minority in America? Ex-Gays – M. Brown Ph.D.
Go Pray! A Catholic Card Game for Kids – Theresa Williams, epicPew

A Talent is a Terrible Thing to Waste – Michael Cretaro, Catholic Stand
Remembering Karl Marx, Prophet of Violence, & Terror – Sam. Gregg D.Phil., The CWR
Against Lukewarmness: Fighting the Temptation of the Familiar – Catholic Exchange
How Calif.’s LGBT Therapy Ban Could Ban Christianity Itself – J. Pullmann, The Fdrlst
4 Saints Who were Holy Lawyers – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
The Church & China: Beijing’s Strategy of ‘Sacramental Confusion’ – Raphaela Schmid
But I Don’t Work at an Office! – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
Why is Christ the “Last Adam”? – Joe Heschmeyer, Shameless Popery
Catholicism, Fundraising, Book Launches, & Overcoming Struggles – Brice Sokolowski
The Riches of the Roman Martyrology – Shawn R. Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

TVESDAY MORNING EDITION Read More »

MONDAY EXTRA

Elizabeth Is Secret Agents (Credit: Catholic Herald)

BBC Re-Edits Show That Falsely Implicated Priest in Gunpowder Plot

. . .’Elizabeth I’s Secret Agents’ claimed Fr. John Gerard knew of the Gunpowder Plot. . .

by Simon Caldwell,

of Catholic Herald

Francis & Marx: Another Fine Mess – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Ross Douthat’s Take on Where Pope Francis Is Taking the Church – Celeste Behe
Ireland: U2 Launches Campaign to Kill Babies in the Womb – Micaiah Bilger, Life News
The Powerful Prayer for Deliverance from Evil by St. John Paul II – ChurchPop
Is Satan More Powerful than Mary? – Joe Heschmeyer, Catholic Answers Magazine
The Relationship Between CS Lewis & Catholicism – The Coming Home Network
Is There a Probability for the Universe? The Anthropic Coincidences – B. Kurland Ph.D.
The Church & Islam: Dangerous Illusions – William Kilpatrick Ph.D., Crisis Magazine
Princes of the King of Heaven, Enemies of the Prince of the World – Fr. G. Rutler Th.D.
Bards of Pray, Why Are So Many Poets Catholic? – Mike Aquilina, Angelus News
Catholic Beer Club Responds to Millennials’ Thirst for Community – J. Liedl, Cath Philly
“The Surfing Padre” of Southern California Dies at 92 – J.P. Mauro, Aleteia
Abp. Mk. Coleridge Elected President of Oz Bishops’ Conf. – Archdiocese of Brisbane
Thousands Join March for Life in London – Nick Hallett, Catholic Herald
Thoughts & Prayers: Power Tools in the Hands of Skilled Craftsmen – David La Mar, CE
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

MONDAY EXTRA Read More »

MONDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Screen Shot of Willem Jacobus Cardinal Eijk, Archbishop of Utrecht (Credit: YouTube via NCRegister.com)

Cardinal Eijk: Pope Francis Needed to Give Clarity on Intercommunion

. . .failure to give German bishops proper directives, based on the clear doctrine & practice of the Church, points to a drift towards apostasy from the truth. . .

by Willem Jacobus Cardinal Eijk,

of the National Catholic Register

The Traditional Latin Mass in Hieratic Liturgical English – Cla. Salvucci, Lit Arts Jour.
5 Reasons the Southern Poverty Law Center Is a Hate-Mongering Scam – Joy Pullmann
Why Mass-Going is Falling in Poland – Fr. Alfred Marek Wierzbicki, Vatican Insider
What 19 in 20 Americans Don’t Know about World Poverty – Chelsea Follett, FEE
Check Out These Vintage Photos of Beloved Priest, St. John Bosco – Ph. Kosloski, Alet.
Immigrant Christians: ‘Just Better Than Us’ – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
The Biggest Legal Flaw In California’s Sexual Orientation Therapy Ban – Gle. T. Stanton
The German Church Divided – Robert Royal Ph.D., The Catholic Thing
Jesus as Warrior – Tom Collingwood, Catholic Stand
How Boy Scouts of America are Succumbing to Transgenderism – And. T. Walker Ph.D.
A Stroll through Vienna’s Catholic Architectural Flourishes – Michelle Gress, MFCT
Amazon: Christian Group Barred & Anti-Semitic Groups Remain – Pt. Hasson, The Strm
The Latin Liturgy Appeals to Catholic Youth – Fr. John A. Perricone, Crisis Magazine
On Holy Friendship & “Accompaniment” – Alan L. Anderson, The Catholic World Report
The Powerful Headwinds Confronting Religious Freedom – Mark L. Movsesian, LaL
For the Housebound, Internet Masses can be a Great Comfort – Fr. Matthew Pittam, CH
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

MONDAY AFTERNOON EDITION Read More »

MONDAY MORNING EDITION

The Course of Empire: Destruction by Thomas Cole (Credit: Catholic Herald)

How can We Rebuild Western Civilization? This Priest has an Answer

. . .Fr. William J. Slattery calls for Catholics to do again what they did during the dark ages. . .

by Francis Phillips,

of Catholic Herald

Nooo! Not a New English Mass Translation! – Deborah Gyapong, The Anglicanorum. . .
Animals Do Go to Heaven – Edward Monti, Catholic Stand
Remarkable Photos of St. Bernadette & Her Miraculous Beauty – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
How to Endure & Overcome Liturgical Difficulties – Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual. . .
Card. Müller on Intercommunion Meeting: More Clarity & Courage Needed – E. Pentin
Brick by Brick in St. Louis, Lesson in Commonsense, Prayer, & Elbow Grease – Fr. Z
A Changed Notion of Authenticity Does Not Bode Well for the Church – Steffani Jacobs
The Radical Assault on Marriage & Family, from Karl Marx to Just. Kennedy – C. Olson
Amazon Kicks Pro-Life Organization Out of AmazonSmile Program – Micaiah Bilger, LN
Sorry, Nerds: Video Games are Not a Sport – Matthew Walther, The Week
Kansas & Oklahoma Defend Religious Adoption Against LGBT Litigation – Joshua Gill
My Problem With Expanding Pro-life Definitions – Ben Butera, The American Catholic
Does California’s Anti-Conversion Therapy Bill Take Aim at the Bible? – The Editors, Rg
But I Don’t Work at an Office! – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
Catholicism, Fundraising, Book Launches, & Overcoming Struggles – Brice Sokolowski
Oxford Professors: ‘Strong Argument’ for New Law After Alfie Case – Dan Hitchens, CH
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

MONDAY MORNING EDITION Read More »

SVNDAY EDITION

Nuns Adoring Jesus at the Sacred Heart Basilica in Paris (Credit: Alderosaz from Shutterstock via Aleteia)

133 Years of Perpetual Adoration

. . .a group of nuns pray in Adoration at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur) in Paris, France.  Since 1885 (before construction of the basilica had been completed) the Blessed Sacrament has been continually on display in a monstrance above the high altar.  Perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has continued uninterrupted in the basilica since 1885. . .

from Aleteia

4 Simple Ways to Increase Your Devotion at Every Mass – Chloe Langr, epicPew
5 Reasons Why You Should Pray a Daily Rosary – Melissa Guerrero, epicPew
The First Thing You Should Know About the Four Last Things – Fr. John P. Cush S.T.D.
Humility is Hard – A Meditation on Some Aspects of Humility – Msgr. Charles Pope
A Journey Thru the Charismatic Renewal, from Evangelical to Catholic – J. Shepherd
10 Ways to Open Up to the Holy Spirit – Fr. Ed Broom O.M.V., Catholic Exchange
St. Laurence O’Toole’s Heart Found in Dublin Park – Michael Kelly, Catholic Herald
Warmth in the World of Religious Sisters – Sarah Greydanus, Catholic Stand
The Story of the True Cross, by Piero della Francesca – Gregory DiPippo, New Lit Mov
8 Bishops Reveal How God Called Them to Be His Priests – Jim Graves, NC Register
The Saints Slay the Dragons & Adore the Lamb – Fr. George W. Rutler S.T.D. Th.D.
Participation in the Mass – Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual Direction
What You Need to Know about the Order of St. Augustine – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
The Life of a Gardener: Prayer & St. Teresa of Avila – Fr. Nicholas Blackwell O. Carm.
Patience—A Beautiful Fruit – Sister Marie Estelle O.C.D., Integrated Catholic Life™
Peace Be With You – Carol Monaco, Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

SVNDAY EDITION Read More »

FRIDAY EDITION

Paolo Veronese “The Vision of St. Helena” circa A.D. 1580 (Credit: Screenshot via NCRegister.com)

A Powerful Evangelical Force is Right Under Our Noses

. . .as Catholic women, we are not reminded enough that we have the capacity to change the world. . .

by Carrie Gress, Ph.D.,

of the National Catholic Register

Amazon Boots Christian Nonprofit off Donations Prog. ‘cuz of SPLC’s Hate List – Fdrlst
Pope Wants Germans to Find Unanimous Solution on Intercommunion – Jn. Allen, Crux
Google Censoring Christian Ads – Rachel Alexander, The Stream
In Praise of True Evangelizers; Re: National Catholic Reporter – Abp Chaput OFM Cap
‘After The Ball’, Before The Next Campaign – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
In Les Mis, the Revolutionaries are (Also) the Villains – James Walpole, Mercatornet
Quotes Suitable for Framing: Alfred the Great – Donald R. McClarey J.D., TACatholic
16 Strong Confirmation Names for Today’s Teen Boys – Cerith Gardiner, Aleteia
Karl Marx vs. Jesus – Matthew Archbold, Creative Minority Report
King Solomon, The False Mother, & Alfie Evans – Devorah Goldman, Public Discourse
House Chaplain Fr. Pat Conroy Rescinds His Resignation – Daniella Diaz & Lauren Fox
Catholic School Lets Students Fundraise for Pro-Abort’s; Canada – Micaiah Bilger, LN
Frank Duff: Founder of the Legion of Mary & Champion of the Rosary – Fr Calloway MIC
But I Don’t Work at an Office! – Meghan Ashley Sabo, Meghan Ashley
Catholicism, Fundraising, Book Launches, & Overcoming Struggles – Brice Sokolowski
The Almost Lost Art of Florentine Mosaics – Sofia Infante, My Favorite Catholic Things
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

FRIDAY EDITION Read More »

THVRSDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Michelle Wolf (Credit: Screenshot of NBC News/YouTube Pic via ChurchPop)

“At a Loss for Words”: Bishop Barron Slams Michelle Wolf’s White House Correspondents Dinner Abortion Joke

. . .the other night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Michelle Wolf, who I’m told is a comedian, regaled the black-tie & sequin-gowned crowd with her “jokes.”  Almost all were in extremely bad taste and/or wildly offensive, but one has become accustomed to that sort of coarseness in the comedy clubs & even on mainstream television. . .

from ChurchPop

Toxic Effeminacy Kills The Boy Scouts – William M. Briggs Ph.D., Statistician to the. . .
NY Times: Caregivers Should be Forced to Euthanize Dementia Patients – W. Smith JD
12 Apostles: Meaning Behind Names, How They Died, Where Their Remains Are – uCth
What We Know About Evil, Hell, & Final Damnation – Fr. James V. Schall S.J., Crisis
Being Honest About When NFP is a Cross – Constance T. Hull, Catholic Exchange
Gavin McInnes: the ‘Gay Marriage’ Trap & the War Against Thinking – Stephen Herreid

You Can Run But You Can’t Hide: The Newman Option – David Warren, Essays in. . .
Is Confession Valid, If Priest Changes Words of Absolution? – Cathy Caridi J.C.L., CLME
Gender Studies Started at Marquette Univ.; No Longer a Catholic School – T. Smith
Will GK Chesterton be Canonised as a Saint? – Fr. Ian Boyd, Catholic Herald
It Also Took a Fiat From Joseph, Not Just From Mary – Susan Skinner, Catholic Stand
Religious Orders Use Social Media to Draw Millennials to Vocations – Stephen Beale
Posture as Liturgical Art: The Canonical Digits – 
Cult Cultivates Cultures: Culling Life’s Mysteries from the Liturgy – Chr. Carstens, CSD
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

THVRSDAY AFTERNOON EDITION Read More »