“Ground zero.” Such haunting words. They bring to mind, of course, the hideous images from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Unforgettable in their horror. And, ever since, the words “Ground Zero” have become embedded in our collective vocabulary. …
Category: Catholic Life
Some Questions on Traditionis Custodes
As the initial reactions to Pope Francis’ Traditionis Custodes continue to pour in, I wish to join my voice with others in analyzing and responding to this document. But I cannot, at least not yet. It is not that the …
Traditionis Custodes: an Act of War Against Faithful Catholics
For those who love the traditional Latin Mass, it’s been a rough few days. Pope Francis unleashed a new motu proprio last Friday — “Traditionis Custodes” — that overturned Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum and returned the TLM’s legal status to the …
Crippled Religion Strikes Again – And Summorum Pontificum Gets the Axe
Today, a new motu proprio letter was issued by Pope Francis imposing new (and in some respects brutal) suppressions on the usus antiquior of the Roman Rite. The truth is, we saw this coming. Rumors have been circulating for a …
The Brown Scapular and the Sabbatine Privilege
In the mid-1240s, the Carmelite order left Mt. Carmel for England because of persecution from the Saracens. The Carmelites were small in number before migrating to Europe, and now the order appeared to be on the verge of extinction as …
Why Do People Have A Problem With the Novus Ordo?
Ever since the new rite of Mass was introduced in 1969, battles over liturgy have ensued. But something has changed: we have reached a critical moment in Church history, namely, the widespread recognition that simply because a pope says or …
100 Years Ago, G.K. Chesterton Predicted Our Dark Times
Over one century ago, G.K. Chesterton wrote a masterpiece poem titled The Ballad of the White Horse. Today, more than ever, it strikes chords in the hearts of all who love the Catholic Church and her traditions. In soul-stirring rhymes, …
Woe Canada: The Land of the Burning Church
Another day, another church vandalized. Welcome to Canada, the land formerly called glorious and free. It turns out not everyone in Canada is obsessed with hockey, maple syrup, and saying “sorry” needlessly. Arson, vandalism, and violence are now legitimate pastimes. …
Culture Warriors, Rigidity, and the Semantic Games of the Catholic Left
Peruse any number of articles and opinion pieces in any number of more left-leaning Catholic media venues, and soon enough you are likely to read the ipse dixit assertion that certain prelates or lay leaders are culture warriors. Certain bishops, …
“Smile for the Camera!” — In the Name of Unity, An Iron Fist
It has become a cliché with a slightly dark comedic undertone: the perfect family Christmas card photo, with artfully mis-matched clothing, a beach or forest background, and everyone gazing at the same imaginary point in the middle distance. What hides …
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