As the smoke clears in Brussels, my mind turns to the Europe that once was. I love that continent in a way that’s hard for me, as an American, to explain. When I studied history, I was always far more drawn to the Catholic drama of the kingdoms that grew up from the ashes of Rome than…
Antonio Socci — Italian Catholic, journalist, intellectual, and author — has become an increasingly significant figure through his analysis of the present ecclesiastical climate. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, here’s his brief Wikipedia bio: Born into a working-class family, Socci joined the Communion and Liberation lay ecclesial movement in 1977. He studied at the University of…
We sent our field reporters to the coast with a few cameras, a little cash and a single map to see if they could seek out an adventure. What came back were some of the best stories we've ever heard.
Earlier today, Archbishop Georg Gänswein — Prefect of the Papal Household and private secretary to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI — gave an interview on German radio. Among the topics discussed were the discipline of priestly celibacy and the issue of Holy Communion for the divorced and remarried. I have agreed to publish his thoughts because they…
St. Joseph, Terror of Demons, Patron of the Universal Church – Ora Pro Nobis!
Hey there, intrepid readers! Today, I recorded a podcast with John Lillis, the founder of Lifeboat Coffee Company. Lifeboat is America’s premiere pro-life Coffee provider, sending a portion of all proceeds to a number of pro-life charities each year. They also provide the coffee we’re now selling at 1P5Coffee.com. I talk to John about how he…
Cardinal Walter Kasper — the most infamous member of the German episcopacy — appears to be just tingly with anticipation for the coming apostolic exhortation on marriage and family. Ed Pentin reports (with my emphasis): According to the Italian newspaper Il Terreno, the German theologian told an audience in the Italian city of Lucca on Monday evening that in a “few…
It’s a subject I’ve addressed in these pages more than once. Catholics MUST evangelize those of other faiths with a desire to convert them. “Dialogue” alone, without the intent of winning converts, is useless. In January, I wrote about my own experiences as a Catholic missionary, and how rare that missionary spirit is today: Religious…
Reading through the comments on yesterday’s post about Cardinal Sarah and the changes to the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony, Father RP’s observations stood out. So much so that I want to highlight them here (with my emphasis): I must confess to having never liked this ritual included in the Holy Mass, though I have never been…
Today, it was announced that Pope Francis will wash the feet of 12 refugees (no mention how many will be Catholic) this Holy Thursday. The Holy Father is no stranger to innovations in the rite, and today’s announcement follows on the heels of official changes made by the pope in January, altering the rubrics of the Holy Thursday liturgical…
…or our priests? Or our theologians? Why is fighting this fight left to bloggers and laymen, even now, after three years of escalating error and confusion? It’s a bit of a rant, but I expect you’ll understand. Listen here.
