The darkness of our time often feels like a liturgical anti-incense, a dense smog that can be only temporarily fanned away before quickly returning to choke us again. This metaphor is a ripe one for Catholic lay action, because while …
The Laity Action Plan for Our Dark Times
The pope has no answers for us. Do we really need them at this point? The bishops he has promoted defend him and continually deflect public attention away from him and his camp. And what do we lay faithful do? …
Diving into the Catholic Treasury: A Revival of the Ember Days
Editor’s note: This sermon was preached by Canon Aaron Huberfeld, ICRSS, at St. Mary’s Oratory in Wausau, Wisconsin, on the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, September 16, 2018. Remember not, O Lord, our transgressions, nor those of our fathers, and take not vengeance …
The Virgin Mary and the Woman Drunk with the Blood of the Saints
In a remarkable series of apparations in the 19th century – in Rue du Bac, in Rome, in La Salette, in Lourdes, in Pontmain, in Knock – the Mother of God made herself known. The Blessed Virgin Mary left her …
On the Pope and Abuse, Who Are the Real ‘Falsifiers of the Word’?
“Pope Francis will meet with all of the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences at the Vatican next February 21-24, ‘to speak about the prevention of the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.’” So reported Vatican News, using the words of …
Cardinal Bergoglio of Buenos Aires: Some More Unanswered Questions
When I wrote The Dictator Pope, I pointed out the failure of the cardinals in 2013 to inform themselves about Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio’s record as archbishop of Buenos Aires, for if they had known about it even superficially, they would …
What Not to Blame Clerical Sex Abuse On
When wrongdoing becomes widespread to the point of seeming endemic – as has the horrid evil of clerical sex abuse – blaming the individual culprits isn’t enough. We also desire to know who allowed the wrongdoing to spread, who failed …
‘Silence and Prayer’ When the House Is Falling Down
Pope Francis, on Monday, responded to the backlash the Vatican has received, calling on Christ’s Church to fight those causing division with “silence and prayer.” Silence and prayer. Let’s look into what Pope Francis could gain from silence and prayer. …
Catholic Tradition and the Patriotic Question
At first glance, patriotism might seem like an issue of secondary importance, a mere distraction. Our ultimate loyalty is to the Kingdom of God, after all, and we are already pretty busy. Among restoring a desecrated liturgy, salvaging Catholic education, …
Diocese on a Diet: Reducing the Temporal Power of the Bishops
As frustration and anger toward bishops grow, Catholics are asking what they can do to resist the corruption that has infected the episcopate. Ideas include prayer, fasting, writing letters, and protesting at USCCB meetings. All these are valid responses, but …
