Big Pulpit

FRIDAY EDITION

Pope Francis & the Eucharist (Credit: thecatholicuniverse.com)

Pope Francis: If You Are In a State of Mortal Sin, You Cannot Receive Holy Communion

. . .the Pope reminded Catholics that those in a state of sin must go to confession first. . .

from the Catholic Herald

Cardinal Kasper: Homosexual Relationships are Analogous to Marriages – Fr. Z’s Blog
The ‘Gay’ Baby Boom & Courage – Jennifer Hartline, The Stream
High Sch. Teacher Put on Leave After Asking if Sch. Allows Pro-Life Walkout – D Huber
This Post Will Ruin Your Saint Patrick’s Day – Alex R. Hey, epicPew
Making Pornography Respectable – Carolyn Moynihan, Mercatornet
Sad Abandonment of Identity: Secularization of Our Religious Univs. – A. Goldberg J.D.
Killing the Bible Softly with Your Appeals – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Silent Scream – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Catholics Need to Rediscover Proper Lenten Fasting – Cha. A. Coulombe, Cthlc Herald
An Authentic Understanding of Vatican II – Shane Schaetzel, Catholic in the Ozarks
A Pesky Detail in the Report on Ruling Against Down Syndrome Abortion Law – B. Ross
Did St. Patrick Expel Snakes from Ireland? – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Algerian Martyrs: ‘Our Lives Are Already Given Away’ – Brian O’Neel, NC Register
Can Pope Francis Persuade the Irish to Choose Life? – Filip Mazurczak, The CWR
How Protecting Wildlife Can Help Us Appreciate Our Higher Laws – Allison Low, CS
Towards a World Day for Eastern Christians – Paul de Dinechin, Aleteia
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

FRIDAY EDITION Read More »

THVRSDAY EXTRA

Archbishop Angelo Becciu (Credit: Life Site)

The Pope “Also Suffers” Because of the Criticism, Archbishop Angelo Becciu Says

from Rome Reports

How the Vatican’s Old Guard Clings to Power – Christopher Altieri, Catholic Herald
More of & about The Letter™ of Benedict XVI on the Booklets – Fr. Z’s Blog
What Causes Young People to Convert? Beautiful Churches, Says Study – uCatholic
What “Accompaniment” Really Means – Fr. James V. Schall S.J., Crisis Magazine
Holy Madness – Kenneth Colston, First Things
Facing Hostility at ‘Catholic’ Georgetown, Defending Traditional Marriage – A. Irvine
Where Does Catholic Thinking on “Gender Theory” Go from Here? – John Allen, Crux
Ides of March: Julius Caesar – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Death is Not the End – Elizabeth Jean Seah, Ignitum Today
Do Catholics Have “Three Ending Points”? – Dan Byron, Catholic Stand
Decline is a Choice (Partly) – Pete Spiliakos, First Things
US Bishops Call for Legal Protection for Supporters of Traditional Marriage – CNS
Sacrifice is Woven into the Tapestry of Motherhood – Amanda Evinger, NC Register
Modern Liberty a Cruel Parody of Christian Freedom – Paul Krause, Crisis Magazine
A Brief Guide to Papal Documents – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
The Secret to Finding the Happiness of Lent – John Clark, Seton Magazine
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

THVRSDAY EXTRA Read More »

THVRSDAY EDITION

Bishop Robert Barron in Full Regalia (Credit: the National Catholic Register)

A Very Bad Argument for Priestly Celibacy

. . .There is a very bad argument for celibacy which has reared its head throughout the tradition & which is, even today, defended by some. . .

by Bishop Robert E. Barron, S.T.D.,

of Word on Fire

What to Make of B16’s Letter about Popes’ Theological Thought? – Christopher Altieri
The Hidden Symbolism of the Paschal Candle, Explained In One Infographic – ChrchPop
Czech Brutalism – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Rene Girard, Sacred Violence & the Mass – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
A Painful & Necessary Book Explores the Pain Felt by Children of Divorce – Ph. Lawler
On Day One, The “Build” Began – Rocco Palmo, Whispers in the Loggia
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Secret Formula for Raising Millions – Brice Sokolowski
Hindu Extremists Attack Nuns, Destroy Hospital Wall in India – CNS via Catholic Herald
The Bible. . . & Other Traditions – Joe Heschmeyer, Catholic Answers Magazine
Taking It Apart, One Canon at a Time – Edward N. Peters J.C.D. J.D., In the Light of. . .
Vatican Congregation Publishing Document on ‘Gender Theory’ – Aleteia
A Lesson for Fathers from My Son with Down Syndrome – Tim Bennett, Cthlc Exchange
Netherlands Euthanized 252 Mentally Ill People in 2017 – Alex Schadenberg, Life News
A Talk With ‘Before I Was Me’ Author Frank Fraser – Carrie Gress Ph.D., NC Register
Chemical Weapons Are Back, Thanks to Russia – Judith Miller, City Journal
Charitable Intention: What’s Your Motive? – Dom Cingoranelli, Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

THVRSDAY EDITION Read More »

VVEDNESDAY EXTRA

Hannah giving her son Samuel to the priest by Jan Victors, A.D. 1645. According to the biblical account, Hannah sang her song when she presented Samuel to Eli the priest (Credit: Wikipedia)

A World Without Hope

. . .I’ve written recently that our schools introduce young people not to that guide of intelligence and beauty, Lady Faith, but to her current impostor, Politics. Our “sins” are political, & we are to be “saved” by giving our assent to the Right Things about sex & marriage, climatic changes, organic food, the evil of Christian history, the sweet wonders of Islamic history, & so forth, till the world shall end & we can have done with it, amen. . .

by Anthony M. Esolen, Ph.D.,

of Crisis Magazine

Outbreak: the Explosion of Transgender Teens – Lisa Marchiano, Mercatornet
If You Want Jesus, You Need the Church – J.P. Nunez, Catholic Stand
Will Cardinal Cupich “Accompany” Reluctantly Divorced Spouses? – Jennifer R. Morse
Five Big Surprises from Francis’s Papacy – Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, Catholic Herald
Professor Muzzled for ‘Gay Marriage’ Comments, Suing Marquette Univ. – David Marcus
The White House’s Exuberant Humiliation of Rex Tillerson – Mat. Walther, The Week
When President Trump Takes Charge – Ross Douthat, The New York Times
This Prayer of St. Patrick Protects You in Spiritual Combat – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Stephen Hawking was a Member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences – Carol Glatz
Oregon: Elderly Couple Kill Themselves in Controversial Assisted Suicide – Xav. Symons
Learning from the White Rose – George Weigel, First Things
Archbishop Jos. Naumann: Authentically & Unabashedly Pro-Life – Elisabeth Deffner
Liberal Integralism – R.R. Reno, First Things
Divine Causality & Human Freedom – Edward Feser Ph.D.
Waiting Teaches Us About Our Passion & Purpose – Jeannie Ewing, Catholic Exchange
Could Pro-Life Health Clinics Soon Access Title X Funds? – Peter Jesserer Smith, NCReg
 Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

VVEDNESDAY EXTRA Read More »

VVEDNESDAY EDITION

St. Catherine Reading a Book by Carlo Dolci 1616-1686 (Credit: Screengrab via the National Cathollic Register)

10 Books That Belong in Every Catholic Library

. . .‘reading has made many saints’. . .

by Father John P. Cush, S.T.D.,

of the National Catholic Register

Benedict XVI Admits to Not Reading 11 Books of Popes’ Theology – Edward Pentin, Reg
With Grooming Scandal in Telford, There’s an Elephant in the Room – Norman Wells
Neither Straussian nor MacIntyrean: Rod Dreher’s Ben Op Politics – N. Pinkoski D.Phil.
Woman Who Welcomed Homeless Stranger into Her House: A Year Later – C. Gardiner
Escaping the Health Insurance System – Eric Sammons, Swimming Upstream
The Indian Mass in the Modern Parish – Claudio Salvucci, Liturgical Arts Journal
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Secret Formula for Raising Millions – Brice Sokolowski
Investigation Starts When Mentally Ill Patients Euthanized Without Their Consent – LN
Ireland’s Pro-Life Campaign Looks Increasingly Upbeat – Fr. Ale. Lucie-Smith Ph.D.
What is Law? When Can We Ignore It? Natural Law – Jef. A. Mirus Ph.D., Cthlc Culture
Benedict XVI on “Interior Continuity” of Two Pontificates – Joan Lewis, Joan’s Rome
Good-Faith Argument on Socialism Doesn’t Start By Dismissing Its History – D. Harsanyi
4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Lent, in One Infographic – ChurchPop
For Both Church & State, Appeasement is a Bad Idea – Garnett Genius, The CWR
The Anniversary of the Founding of the Church in Milan – Gregory DiPippo, NLM
Drawing Lessons from the Boardroom – Sean Morrisroe, Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

VVEDNESDAY EDITION Read More »

TVESDAY EXTRA

Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square (Credit: Mercatornet)

On What is Wrong in Itself: CNN’s Papal Documentary

. . .not anything can change the metaphysical structure of reality. . .

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

of Mercatornet

The Czech Canary – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
A Template for a Liturgically-Oriented Catholic Education for Children – David Clayton
Elon Musk is a Messianic Huckster – Matthew Walther, The Week
Bill Protecting Freedom of Those For & Against Gay Unions Angers Some – R. Guidice
Why So Little Catholic Concern Over Christian Persecution? – William Kilpatrick Ph.D.
Pope Francis’s First Revolution – His Clothing – Fr. Ray. J. de Souza, Cthlc Herald
How Can a God of Love Send People to Hell? – Marcellino D’Ambrosio Ph.D., ICL™
From Atheism to Catholicism – Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual Direction
The Anti-Christian Alt-Right: The Evil Thought of Right-Wing Identity Politics – M. Rose
Francis at 5 Years: Love Him or Hate Him, This Is One Relevant Pope – John Allen, Crux
The Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Alita Ma.C.N. O.C.D.S., Cthlc Stand
On Francis’ 5th, “Credere In Deum” – Rocco Palmo, Whispers in the Loggia
5 Interesting Facts About Pope Francis on His 5th Anniversary – uCatholic
Pope Given ‘Thunderous Salute’ for His Anti-Slavery Commitment – E. Pentin, NCReg
Lost & Found – Jean Elizabeth Seah, Ignitum Today
How Does Lent Lead to Healing? – Kathleen Beckman, Catholic Exchange
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

TVESDAY EXTRA Read More »

TVESDAY EDITION

‘The Course of Empire –
Destruction’ by Cole Thomas, A.D. 1836 (Credit: Wikipedia)

‘Everybody Knows That Something Is Coming’

. . .I met Hungarian journalist in Budapest. “Everybody knows that something is coming,” she said. “We can all feel it. I think this is why your book resonates with so many people”. . .

by Rod Dreher

The Mystery of Meghan Markle’s Baptism – Joanna Bogle, National Catholic Register
Francis’ ‘Mess’ Making: Assessing the First 5 Years of This Papacy – The Editors, NCReg
End-Times Anxiety – R.R. Reno, First Things
Did You Know. . .the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge was Not an Apple? – S. Smith J.D.
From Amazon to eBay: The Dark Side of e-Commerce Giants – F. Aloisi, Family & Media
Joy Behar Apologizes to VP Mike Pence for Saying Christians Mentally Ill – L. Barkoukis
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Secret Formula for Raising Millions – Brice Sokolowski
One of Germany’s Oldest Dioceses to Reduce Parishes by 80% – Jonathan Luxmoore
Is One Religion Really as Good as Another? – Chloe Langr, epicPew
Catholicism at the Bottom of the Planet – Ray Cavanaugh, The Dispatch via The CWR
The Problem of Language & Our Schools – Steven J. Rummelsburg, The Imaginative. . .
Neuhaus & Liberalism – Matthew Rose Ph.D., Public Discourse
Perseverance of the Saints: An Illogical Doctrine – Joe Heschmeyer, Shameless Popery
What Kindness Really Means – Jeannie Ewing, Integrated Catholic Life™
Greg Burke on Pope’s Extraordinary Message of Love to the World – James Macintyre
Acts of the Disciples: Discipleship & Independent Living – Deacon G. Lambert, Cth Stnd
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

TVESDAY EDITION Read More »

MONDAY EXTRA

Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati (Credit: LifeSiteNews.com)

Cincinnati Archbishop Repudiates Fr. James Martin, SJ, et al, Homosexualist Event

. . .the Archbishop sent out a note distancing the Church from an upcoming homosexualist event featuring homosexualist activists Jesuit James Martin, Sister Jeannine Gramick (silenced by the Holy See & by her own congregation) & Jamie Manson (open lesbian writer for the National Catholic Reporter with a coveted MDiv, tutored by the dreadful Margaret Farley). . .

by Father John Zuhlsdorf,

of Fr. Z’s Blog

Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History Debuts on CNN – Nancy Flory, The Stream
How About a Little Clarity Cardinal Cupich? – One Mad Mom
Ireland: Big Pro-Life Rally Shows Fierce Clash to Legalizing Abortion – Micaiah Bilger
5 Years after His Election, This Year is Make-or-Break for the Pope – Christopher Altieri
VSED: A New Form of Assisted Suicide – Richard Becker, Crisis Magazine
The Lenten “Beer Only Fast” Practiced by German Monks – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
Jim Caviezel on What He Learned Playing St. Luke. . . – Jim Graves, The CWR
What Would an Ecclesiocentric Society Look Like? – Peter A. Kwasniewski Ph.D., NLM
Marching Away From ‘Madness’ & Toward Wholeness – Trent Beattie, NC Register
Univs. Keep Booting Christian Gps. Off Campus in Violation of Their Rights – N. Russell
Utopian Temptation; Book Review: Why Liberalism Failed – T. Fuller Ph.D., First Things
Catholic Harbor: A Thriving Online Community for Seton Students – Draper Warren
Lectio Divina Set to Music: Brahms’ German Requiem – Bob Kurland Ph.D., TACatholic
Catholic Authors: Pray, Listen, Then Write – Melanie Jean Juneau, Catholic Stand
Pope Francis & Reform: Financial Problems Persist – Edward Pentin, NC Register
Climbing a 400-Meters-Tall Cliff To Get Baptized in Ethiopia – Daniel Esparza, Aleteia
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

MONDAY EXTRA Read More »

MONDAY EDITION

The Death of Jean-Paul Marat by Jacques-Louis David AD 1793

How Europe’s Way of Denial Became a Way of Death

. . .Europe’s immigration woes underscore how much of the continent is living in untruth—in lies that gradually kill. . .

by Samuel Gregg, D.Phil.,

of Public Discourse

Nuts – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Mark Wahlberg Celebrate Daughter’s 1st Reconciliation on Instagram – ChurchPop
Belial’s Witnesses – Anthony M. Esolen Ph.D., The Catholic Thing
Do Historical Norms Alter Church Teachings? Should They?  – Fr. James V. Schall S.J.
Paul VI & Romero, Media & Reality – Andrea Gagliarducci, Monday Vatican
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Secret Formula for Raising Millions – Brice Sokolowski
Padre Pio’s Prayerful Patrimony – Joseph Pronechen, NC Register
Georgetown Honors Advocate of Partial Birth Abortion – Matthew Archbold, NC Register
To Call Abortion ‘Health Care’ Defies Logic – Bishop Daniel E. Thomas S.T.L., NCRegister
Married Priests Likely To Be on 2019 Synod Agenda – Dan Hitchens, Catholic Herald
3D Printing Could Change Sonograms & the Pro-Life Movement – Chloe Langr, epicPew
Chile Cardinal Blames Bishop Barros for Bad Press During the Papal Trip – Nic. Winfield
Is it Too Late to Start Lent? – Strahlen Smith, Catholic Stand
Is There Any Hope of Saudi Arabia Lifting Its Church Ban? – Dv. Cowan, Catholic Herald
The Catholic Church in China: Historical Context & the Current Situation – A Clark PhD
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

MONDAY EDITION Read More »

SVNDAY EDITION

Mont Saint Michel (Credit: Flickr via ‘my favorite catholic things’ blog)

Monastic Life at Mont Saint Michel

. . .Mont Saint Michel is an 8th-century fortress on the coast of Normandy that has long been associated with a mystical presence of Christ & the Archangel for whom it is named. After centuries of spiritual neglect, a spiritual renaissance is taking place on the tidal island again. . .

by Carrie Gress, Ph.D.,

of my favorite catholic things blog

7 Biblical Facts About Temptation That Will Boggle Your Mind – Laura Hensley, epicPew
Stunning Renovation of Corpus Christi in London – J.P. Sonnen, Liturgical Arts Journal
Four Things to Remember When You’re Suffering – Jeannie Ewing, Catholic Exchange
The Case for Sunday Confessions – R. Jared Staudt, National Catholic Register
Sundays are a Whole Day for God, Not Just an Hour – Fr. Bill Peckman, ChurchPop
The Ancient Origin of the Hand Gestures in Iconography – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
Evidence for Historical Isaiah Announced by Archaeologists – Stephen Beale, NC Rgstr
The Power of Silence – T.J. Burdick, uCatholic
Fr. Faber on Unhappiness – Rick Yoder, The Amish Catholic
Portable Altars & Roadside Shrines – Peter A. Kwasniewski Ph.D., New Liturgical Mvmnt
A Glossary of Basic Liturgical Terms – Ælredus Rievallensis, Canticum Salomonis
New ICEL Translations in England & Wales for the Chrism Mass – Matthew Hazell, NLM
Archbishop Fénelon on the Return to God – Rick Yoder, The Amish Catholic
Lent Lasts for 40 Days. . . Have You Ever Wondered Why? – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
Want to Obtain Happiness This Lent? Harness Your Passions – Chloe Langr, epicPew
A History of the 40 Hours Devotion, by Henri de Villiers – Ælredus Rievallensis
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

SVNDAY EDITION Read More »

SATVRDAY EDITION

Reality Distortion Field Poster
(Credit: Rod Dreher)

The #LoveWins Jackboot at a Public High School in Ameria

. . .a reader took this photo of a flyer in the halls of Grady High School in Atlanta. What symbolism! A public school in Atlanta is now propagandizing students to believe that people who dissent from the multiculti Narrative are haters who deserve to be symbolically stomped by a jackboot. . .

by Rod Dreher

Meghan Markle is Baptized! – Jessica McAfee, epicPew
A Good Gay Myth is a Terrible Thing to Waste – Austin Ruse, Crisis Magazine
Madrid Churches Attacked on International Women’s Day – Catholic Herald
Prayer Shaming: A New Front in the Culture War – John Horvat II, Crisis Magazine
Harvard Foes After a Christian Student Group for Being Christian – Daniel Payne
“Need Confession?”: Priest’s Sign on University Campus Goes Viral – ChurchPop
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Secret Formula for Raising Millions – Brice Sokolowski
When Harry Became Sally: A Love Letter from the Age of Reason – Maggie Gallagher
Pope Francis Decrees Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church – Fr. Z’s Blog
Lent: Join Our Suffering to That of Christ – Bob Kurland Ph.D., Catholic Stand
Archbishop Hollerich Succeeds Cardinal Marx as President of COMECE – COMECE
The Church’s Resolute Non-Membership of the World Council of Churches – E. Pentin
Christopher Dawson & the Bourgeois Mind – R. Jared Staudt, The Imaginative. . .
Jokers & “Xenophobes” – John Waters, First Things
A Fascinating Look Inside the Vatican’s Little-Known Fire Department – ChurchPop
Crusading 101 – Timothy D. Lusch, The Catholic World Report
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

SATVRDAY EDITION Read More »

FRIDAY EXTRA

Blase Cardinal Cupich (Credit: Daniel Ibanez of Catholic News Agency via National Catholic Register)

The Accusations of Cardinal Cupich: Name Names, Please

. . .in his latest column for the Chicago archdiocesan newspaper, Blase Cardinal Cupich—who styles himself as a champion of civil dialogue within the Church—lashes out at people who disagree with Pope Francis. . .

by Phil Lawler,

of Catholic Culture

Pro-Abort & Catholic Justice Kennedy Reportedly Retire This Summer – Steven Ertelt
Msgr. Pinto Training Amoris that Departs from Church Teaching in Texas – Jan Bentz
Oprah’s Advice to Follow Your ‘Heartsong’ is Codswallop, Here’s Why – Geo. Boorman
Do Some Men Have A Uterus? – William M. Briggs Ph.D., Statistician to the Stars!
Shootings & Fatherlessness: A Clarification on the Data – Paul G. Kengor Ph.D., Crisis
Praying for the Past: Another View – Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers Magazine
Is Christianity Shrinking in America? Yes & No – J. Warner Wallace, The Stream
Turns Out Vatican ‘Hackathon’ Isn’t Really about ‘Hacking’. . .or Is It? – Jn. Allen, Crux
3 Reasons You Should Listen to the Catholic Podcast – Katie Prejean, epicPew
Card. Wuerl’s Amoris Guidelines Bring Clarity, but Confusion Remains – Fr. R. de Souza
Fides et Ratio at Twenty – Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap., First Things
Why Can’t We All Admit That Violent Video Games are Sick? – Mat. Walther, The Week
With Pope’s Call for “New Paths,” Amazon Synod Starts Down The Aisle – Rocco Palmo
Former Ignitum Today Writer Making an Impact, Part I: Shaun McAfee – Cristina Montes
The White House & North Korea – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Lent & the People of the Crucifixion – Anthony S. Layne, Catholic Stand
Pope Francis to Venerate Padre Pio’s Relics – Aleteia
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

FRIDAY EXTRA Read More »