Priestly Vocations

MONDAY AFTERNOON EDITION

Ordination of a Priest (Pic Credit: Fr. Jason Smith, L.C.)

My Vocation Story: Father Jason Smith, LC

. . .if not for a hockey game, I wouldn’t be a Legionary of Christ priest today.  As a good Minnesotan, I naturally considered hockey as divinely inspired, a sign of God’s love for us.  But it’s what happened after the game that took me by surprise & lead me to know my priestly vocation. . .

by Father Jason Smith, L.C.,

of Ignitum Today

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
The Priest Who Molested Him Was His Uncle in the Diocese of Lincoln – Rod Dreher
New Light on the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich – Pt. A. Kwasniewski Ph.D., NLM
Varadkar: I’ll Push Pope on Accepting Same-Sex Families – Catholic Herald
This Beautiful Religious Order is for Women with Down Syndrome – R. Scheel, uCthlc
The Newly Defined “Dark Ages” of Christian America – Jason Craig, Those Catholic Men
Catholic at Last: From Eastern Orthodox to the One True Faith – S. Nicholas, One Ptr 5
Classical v. Contemporary Sanctuary Arrangement 
We Are Beginning to See a Catholic Revival in the Arts – Joseph Pearce, NC Register
Bishop Right to Publish Names of Clergy Accused of Abuse – Fr. A. Lucie-Smith Ph.D.
N.Y. Times’ Hit Piece on Mike Pence is Anti-Christian Bigotry – G.T. Stanton, The Fdrlst
Should the Catholic Church Sell Her Great Art to Feed the Poor? – K. Schiffer, NC Rgstr
A Generation Who Grew Up with Porn: How We can Help – Isaac Withers, Catholic Link
Woman Still Die from Legal Abortions, This Was Not Suppose to Be – Dave Andrusko, LN
NFP: The Antidote to Sexism – Sofia Abasalo, Catholic Stand
Want to be a Knight of Columbus? Now You can Join Online – John Burger, AleteiaProvidential Transfiguration – Robert P. Imbelli, First Things
The Virgin Mary & the Pro-Life Movement – Peter Darcy, Catholic Stand
Dominican Efforts Save Endangered Species of Salamanders – Chloe Langr, epicPew
Obamacare Still Forces Americans to Pay for Abortions – Steven Ertelt, Life News
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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VVEDNESDAY MORNING EDITION

Holy Communion by Angelo Graf von Courten (Credit: Crisis Magazine)

A Modest Proposal to End the Vocations Crisis

. . .Communion in the hand is an approved practice, but one which is only juridically “tolerated.”  No matter how antediluvian this may sound, it is the reality.  Moreover, no intelligent Catholic would maintain that Communion in the hand alone caused a decline either in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament or in vocations to the priesthood.  On the other hand, no intelligent Catholic would deny that Communion in the hand holds a principal place in the constellation of factors that have led to these declines. . .

by Father John A. Perricone,

of Crisis Magazine

Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
Archaeological Evidence May Support Jonah’s Whale – J.P. Mauro, Aleteia
“I Was an Atheist”, Check Out These Moving Testimonies of Former Atheists – epicPew
Recalling the Belgian Cardinal Who Truly Shaped Francis’s Destiny – John Allen, Crux
Where in the World is Carmel? – Sister Timothy Marie O.C.D., Integrated Catholic Life™
Learn to Purify Your Intentions to Please God Alone – Fr. Philip Dion, Catholic Exchange
Christians Lose at Court—& What to Do About It – Ryan N.S. Topping D.Phil., Nwmn Soc.
Practical Tips on Finding a Catholic Church While on Vacation – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Five Ways to Increase Patience – Fr. Ed Broom O.M.V., Catholic Exchange
9 Inspiring African Saints’ Names Perfect for Tour Baby Girl – Cerith Gardiner, Aleteia
Thinking Clearly About Immigration – Timothy Hsiao Ph.D., Public Discourse
The Miraculous Bond Between Mother & Child – Marcia Segelstein, Ntnl Cthlc Register
Africa Overtakes Latin America for the Highest Christian Population – Aleteia
NFP Advances Half-Century After Humanae Vitae – Peter Jesserer Smith, NC Register
Meet the Young Woman Who’s Addicted to Helping the Poor – Susan Tendo, Aleteia
Rich Heritage: Black Sisters, Priests Mark 50 Years of Shaping Church – CNS Top Stories
Colors & Skintone: How Many Should Your Closet Really Have? – Meghan Ashley Styling
Evangelizing, Caring for Others at the Core of Deacons’ Vocation, Nuncio Says – CNS
3 Tips to Stop Struggling to Find Donors – Brice Sokolowski, Catholic Fundraiser
Humanae Vitae for Millennials & the Whole World – Michele Chronister, Cthlc Exchange
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY MORNING EDITION

New Ordinations (Credit: Screen Shot from Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest via Liturgy Guy)

Use a Model Diocese to Produce an Over Abundance of Priestly Vocations

. . .It seems like the question keeps coming up & yet there seems to be little to no response from our Bishops.  Every year since 1965, the priest to faithful ratio has gotten worse.  There is not much more than hand-wringing going on to solve the problem.  The trend keeps spiraling downwards.  The seminaries of yesteryear are almost all closed, consolidated, or operating at minimal capacities. . .

by Father Donald L. Kloster,

via Liturgy Guy

Live Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
One of New Cardinals Has Fathered Children, According to Adelante la Fe – R. Cæli
The Summer Reading List That Will Change Your (Faith) Life – Chloe Langr, epicPew
Priestesses & the Marriage Supper of the Lamb – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Jesus Mythicism: No Contemporary References to Jesus – T. O’Neill, Hstry for Atheists
The Archdiocese of Utrecht May Be About To Sell Its Ancient Cathedral – Mark de Vries
Former Col. QB & NFL Prospect Pursues Vocation as Catholic Missionary – J.P. Mauro
How Facebook is Censoring a Pro-Life Movie “Roe v. Wade” – Tom Blumer, Life News
Does Fatherlessness Cause Atheism? Dr. Paul Vitz – Patrick Coffin, Catholic Stand
A Great Cardinal is Turning Catholics Into Political Force in Secular Uruguay – S. Nolan
8 Years Ago, He Forgave a Debt, Now That Kindness Sparked a Movement – C. Gardiner
Vietnam Miracle: When the Little Flower Appeared to a Man – Larry Peterson, Aleteia
Children Under Siege in the Digital Age – Allison Burr, The Imaginative. . .
An International Christian Confederation – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Norbert McAuliffe: The Newest “Venerable” from America – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
US Student Loans Stopping You from Entering Seminary? There’s Help – Sim. Dennerly
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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SVNDAY EDITION

Roman Collar (Credit: CC0 via Aleteia)

6 Reasons to be a Priest

. . .just like his father before him, my oldest son entered seminary — & just like me, he didn’t stay.  I hope my other sons will give seminary a try also — & I pray that one is called to be a priest. . .

by Tom Hoopes,

of Aleteia

Live Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adorecast
A Cry for the Warrior Priest – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Quæritur: Forgetting Sins During Confession – Fr. Z’s Blog
This Spectacular Ceiling Mosaic in St. Louis Cathedral (US) is World’s Largest – J Burger
What You Need to Know About the Cistercians – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia

Advice from St. Francis de Sales on How To Be a Virtuous Person – Ph. Kosloski, Aleteia
A Visual Guide to Guardian Angels: What You Need to Know – Phi. Kosloski, Aleteia
Appearance versus Reality: Christ’s Body in the Eucharist – Dan Byron, Catholic Stand

Through the Holy Spirit, Christ Can Be With Us Always – Fr. Geo. W. Rutler Th.D. S.T.D.
Becoming True Men of Christ: Poverty, Poor in Spirit – Matthew B. Rose, Cthlc Exchange
How to Choose Art for the Psalms & the Divine Office – Dav. Clayton, New Ltrgcl Mvmnt
The Spiritual Life, Silence, & the Sacred Liturgy – Veronica A. Arntz, Rorate Cæli
How to Be a Catholic Missionary – Jennifer Fitz, National Catholic Register
Seeing the Face of God in the Poor – Laura DeMaria, Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY CATHOLICA EXTRA

Bishop Carl A. Kemme celebrates Mass with Wichita’s newest priests (Credit: The Catholic Thing)

The Continuing Vocation Crisis in the United States

by Father Mark A. Pilon, Ph.D.,

of The Catholic Thing

Could Catholic Actor Eduardo Verastegui be Next Pres. of Mexico – CNA (link fixed)
The Cool Cardinal (Cupich) – Matthew Schmitz, First Things
Fr. Z on “The Continuing Vocation Crisis in the United States” – Fr. Z’s Blog
Recent Comments of Pope Should Help Quiet Papal Critics – R. Fastiggi Ph.D., VI via LS
Christians are ‘Dangerous & Offensive’, Says Former UK Lib Dem Ldr – Nick Hallett, CH
Protestantism, Modernism, Atheism – Julia Meloni, Crisis Magazine
Rachel Weeping – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Overcoming Pornography in Your Life – Ray Sullivan, Catholic Stand
Pope Francis to Bishops: Expedite Annulments – Crux
Sense & Nonsense: Latest Defense of Amoris Lætitia – Msgr. Richard C. Antall, Crisis
5 Quotes from St. Therese of Lisieux for a Fruitful Advent – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Soccer Defender Becomes Professional Defender of the Faith – Trent Beattie, NC Rgstr
3 Creative & Impressive Ways People are Helping the Homeless – Elizabeth Pardi, Alet.
The Old Testament and the Karate Kid – Elizabeth Jean Seah, Ignitum Today
Pope Francis Meets Aung San Suu Kyi in the Ghost City – Andrea Tornielli, VI via LS
Between Diplomacy & “Risk” in Myanmar, Popes’ Moment of Truth – Rocco Palmo
For the TVESDAY EASTERN RITE EDITION (28 November AD 2017) click here.
For the TVESDAY CATHOLICA EDITION (28 November AD 2017) click here.

TVESDAY CATHOLICA EXTRA Read More »

THVRSDAY CATHOLICA LATE EXTRA

Nuns for Choice (Credit: Fr. Z’s Blog)

The Dying Out of Women Religious & the Crisis of Religious, Priestly Vocations, Wherein Fr. Z Rants

by Father John Zuhlsdorf,

of Fr. Z’s Blog

Council Votes 33-1 to Ban Pro-Life Vigil Attended by Bishop – Catholic Herald
The Sexual Revolution Turns Ugly – Stephen Baskerville, Crisis Magazine
Resist “Prayer Shaming” This Thanksgiving – Clementi Lisi, The Catholic Thing
Transgenders Victorious, Detransitioners Tell a Different Story – W. Heyer, The Fdrlst
Humanity Itself Has To Become Fluid: Gender Dysphoria On The March – Rod Dreher
The Fighting Irish Aren’t Fighting Anymore – Sherry Antonetti, Nat’l Catholic Register
Married Priests & Missionary Failure – Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, Nat’l Catholic Register
A Catholic Defense of Capital Punishment: Review – Greg Mockeridge, TACatholic
Only Totalitarian Nations Artists Forced to Create Art Against Beliefs – S. Klemond, Reg
“Hindu Radicals Want To Eliminate Us. Help Us,” Says the Bishop of Sagar – Asia News
Saudi Media on Card. Raï’s Visit: Fraternity & Peace in Shadow of Hariri Affair – AN
House Passes Tax Plan Admitting Unborn Children are Human Beings – S. Ertelt, LN
Solanus Casey, Humble Doorkeeper Priest Will Fill Football Stadium – L. Peterson, Al.
London’s Mayor Backs Ban on Pro-Life Vigils Outside Abortion Clinics – Catholic Herald
Modern Elites Have Forgotten the Christian Origins of Liberalism – Dys. Heydon, M-net
Foster Parenting: the Forgotten Piece in Adoption Debate – Fr. Mt. Schneider L.C., CS

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MONDAY CATHOLICA EXTRA

Ordination of New Priests (Credit: Mazur via Catholic Herald)

In This Moment of Crisis, the Church Desperately Needs Good Priests

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

of Catholic Herald

Black Pro-Lifer Fires Back at Democrat Who Called Her Ignorant – Steven Ertelt, LN
How Many Older Gays Secretly Oppose ‘Same-sex Marriage’? – Michael Cook, M-net
Quæritur: How to Pray for the Pope’s Intentions if I Don’t Like Them or Him – Fr. Z
Vatican: ‘Ecumenical Mass’ Rumours are ‘Utterly False’ – Nick Hallett, Catholic Herald
Francis Says He Urged Fellow Cardinals to Back B16 in ’05 Conclave – D.V. Barrett, CH
Millennials Rejecting the Pill – Shannon Roberts, Mercatornet
Why Did the Pope Call Special Meeting of Bishops in Amazon Region – A. Ambrosio, Al.
We Need to Talk about the Orwellian World of IVF – Francis Phillips, Catholic Herald
10 Cathedrals to Light Up Red to Remember Persecuted Christians – John Pontifex, CH
Polish PM Offers to Save JP2 Statue After French Ct. Orders Cross Removal – Barrett
Wrinkles in Space, How Science Works, with Perspective on Faith – Kurland Ph.D., CS
Raqqa has Fallen, But Where is Fr. Dall’Oglio – Gianni Valente, Vtcn Insdr via La Stampa
The Overemphasis on “New” & “Renewed” – Peter A. Kwasniewski Ph.D., New Lit Mov
Why Catholic Journalism More Important than Mainstream Journalism – T. Hoopes, Al.
San Antonio Archbishop Grieves for Victims of Texas Church Shooting – CNA via NC Reg
How Social Workers Can Advance Catholic Social Teaching – Perry West, CNA
For the L’Affaire Weinandy (6 November AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY CULTURÆ EDITION (6 November AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY CATHOLICA EDITION (6 November AD 2017) click here.

MONDAY CATHOLICA EXTRA Read More »

FRIDAY CATHOLICA EDITION

Mary McAleese with President Obama (Photo Credit: Wikipedia via WhiteHouse.gov)

Are We Reading the Same Code Mary McAleese?

by Edward N. Peters, J.C.D., J.D.,

of The Dispatch

via The Catholic World Report

Seminarians Pursue Holy Orders After Earning a Ph.D. – Nicholas Wolfram Smith, NC Reg
Did This Spanish Nun Bi-locate to Texas? Vatican Aims to Find Out – CNA via The CWR
Clerical Celibacy: Hostile Protestant Commentary & Catholic Replies – Dave Armstrong, BefC
The Journey Home Celebrates its 20th Anniversary w/ Special Episode – Sh. McAfee, epicPew
Pope Appoints New Under-secretaries to CDF & Congregation for Clergy – CNA via The CWR
Ryan Anderson to Join Franciscan Univ. of Steubenville as Visiting Fellow – CNA via The CWR
How to Find More & More & More Donors (& Then Even More) – Brice Sokolowski, Cth Fndrsr
Rome – Day 3: Summorum Pontificum 10 Years Onward! – Fr. Z’s Blog
Luther’s Disgust Over Protestant Sectarianism & Radical Heresies – Dave Armstrong, NC Reg
Catholic Street Evangelists Proclaim the Gospel to Portland & Beyond – Anna Abbott, NC Reg
The Dogma Lived Loudly Within Mary and the Other Saints Too – Justin McClain, NC Register
We Need More Politicians Who are Brave, Catholics in UK Say – CNA via The CWR
God was Present, and So Were Rescuers – Randall B. Smith Ph.D., The Catholic Thing
The Parable of the Merciless Servant (Sun. Mass Readings Explained, Video) – Pitre Ph.D., TSP
Athletic Spirituality and Competition, Part I – Cameron Edman, Catholic Stand
Australian Bishops Call for Month of Prayer Ahead of ‘Same-sex Marriage’ Vote – CNA via CWR
For the MONDAY SÆCVLARIA EDITION (18 September AD 2017) click here.
For the Growing Fr. James Martin Scandal (18 September AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY CATHOLICA EDITION (18 September AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY SÆCVLARIA EXTRA (18 September AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY CATHOLICA EXTRA (18 September AD 2017) click here.

FRIDAY CATHOLICA EDITION Read More »

VVEDNESDAY CATHOLICA EDITION

VVEDNESDAY CATHOLICA EDITION Read More »

MONDAY CATHOLICA EXTRA

This Powerful Vocation Video Is One of the Most Inspiring We’ve Ever Seen

from ChurchPop

Sharing Jesus w/Neighbors Was Common for Catholics; How It Could be Again – Deirdre Mundy
How a Dying Monk Inspired Cardinal Sarah to Embrace Silence – Francis Phillips, Cthlc Herald
Five Ways to Listen to God – Brother Simon Teller O.P., Catholic Exchange
The Third Largest Statue in the U.S. is a Marian Image in the Rocky Mountains – Daniel Esparza
Top 10 Practical Tips for Holiness According to an American Saint – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
Quæritur: Missa Sicca – “Dry Mass” – Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, Fr. Z’s Blog
How a Catholic American is Thriving in Secular France – B. Sokolowski, Catholic Fundraiser
Code 4-2-9: Trigger for Artful Conversation – Laura Dittus, National Catholic Register
COVFEFE in Unum Deum, Patrem Omnipotentem. . . – Matt Vander Vennet, epicPew
Is the Holy See Still Capable of Prophecy? – Andrea Gagliarducci, Monday Vatican
Temperance and Our Addiction Crisis – Russell Shaw, Catholic Exchange
4 Reasons to Do Your Work – Brother Jonah Teller O.P., Dominicana
The Five Ways of St. Thomas Aquinas, Part I – Michele Boyer, Catholic Stand
About the Ministry of the Angels Throughout Creation – Msgr. Charles Pope, Community. . .
Fr. Ingo Dollinger Ph.D., Spiritual Son of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, R.I.P. – Maike Hickson, 1P5
Today is the Feast Day of St. John of Facundo, Confessor – Eddie Masters, Regina Magazine
For the MONDAY SÆCVLARIA EDITION (12 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY CATHOLICA EDITION (12 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY SÆCVLARIA EXTRA (12 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the TVESDAY SÆCVLARIA EDITION (13 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the TVESDAY CATHOLICA EDITION (13 June, AD 2017) click here.

MONDAY CATHOLICA EXTRA Read More »

SVNDAY CATHOLICA EDITION

Typical New U.S. Priest: 34-year-old Who Prays Rosary, Takes Part in Eucharistic Adoration

via Catholic Culture

How to Annihilate 3 Skeptical Fallacies Regarding Hell – Dave Armstrong, NC Register
Trinity Sunday: Explain the Trinity? No Problem! – Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, Fr. Z’s Blog
This Priest and Three Companions were Killed for the Faith in Iraq – CNA via The CWR
Defense of Summorum Pontificum – Robert Cardinal Sarah, Crisis Magazine
Big Bang, Michelangelo, and Creation – Cassandra Hackstock, Truth and Charity Forum
Queen of Angels – Howard P. Kainz Ph.D., The Catholic Thing
Benedictines of Norcia: Concussi Surgunt! Super Nifty Beer News! – Fr. Z’s Blog
Fr. Francis L. Sampson: Paratrooper Padre – Donald R. McClarey J.D., Catholic Stand
The First Principle is Christian Unity – Gregory Martha Herr, Obl.S.B., Catholic Stand
Marian Valley: Queensland’s Hidden Gem – Rachel Zamarron, National Catholic Register
Circle of Love: Readings for Trinity Sunday! – John Bergsma Ph.D., The Sacred Page
For the MONDAY SÆCVLARIA EDITION (12 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY CATHOLICA EDITION (12 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY SÆCVLARIA EXTRA (12 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the MONDAY CATHOLICA EXTRA (12 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the TVESDAY SÆCVLARIA EDITION (13 June, AD 2017) click here.
For the TVESDAY CATHOLICA EDITION (13 June, AD 2017) click here.

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REGULAR WEDNESDAY EDITION

Robert Mickens Is Exactly Wrong About Priestly Vocations; Here’s Why

by Father John Zuhlsdorf,

of Fr. Z’s Blog

Why Are So Many Lesbians Getting Pregnant? – Glenn Stanton, Public Discourse
Vatican Orders Matthew Festing Not to Travel to Rome for Order of Malta Election – E. Pentin
Video Shows Just How Out of Control Irish Media Bias is on Abortion – Cora Sherlock, LN
Planned Parenthood Killed Girl in Botched Abortion That Left Part of Her Baby Inside Her – LN
How to Accompany Catholics With Same-Sex Attractions – Judy Roberts, NC Register
This Beautiful New Catholic Journal Book for Girls Is Taking Pre-Orders! – ChurchPop
Man Kills 3 at Catholic Relief Servs., Shouts ‘God is Great’ in Arabic As He’s Arrested – S. Smith
Video: Abortionist Nearly Runs Over Priest after Stealing Pro-Life Signs – Lisa Bourne, LSN
The March for Science is Really a March for Conformity – Jonathan Wells, The Stream
Texas Making It Difficult for Women to Get Abortions & Politico Can’t Hide Its Concern – GR
ISIS Claims Responsibility for Attack Near Egypt’s St. Catherine’s Monastery – Maggie Michael
Family of Facebook Murder Victim: We Forgive the Killer – Catholic News Agency
Missouri: Religious Groups Now Eligible for Certain State Grants – M. Hadro, CNA via NCReg
Catholic Leaders Praise Rulings Granting Stays to Arkansas Death-Row Inmates – CNA via NCRg
Czech Bishop Demands Asylum for Chinese Christians – Catholic News Service via Cthlc Hrld
For the REGULAR THURSDAY LATE EDITION (20 April, AD 2017) click here.
For the EASTER THURSDAY LATE EDITION (20 April, AD 2017) click here.
For the SATURDAY MORNING NEWS EDITION (22 April, AD 2017) click here.
For the SATURDAY MORNING EDITION (22 April, AD 2017) click here.
For the SATURDAY AFTERNOON NEWS EDITION (22 April, AD 2017) click here.
For the SATURDAY AFTERNOON EDITION (22 April, AD 2017) click here.

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