Earlier this month, I wrote a commentary on an alleged conflict between the Vatican and the German Church over their proposed “binding synodal process” on issues “arising from the clerical abuse crisis: clerical celibacy, the Church’s teaching on sexual morality, and a reduction of clerical power.” It was reported by CNA in early September that the…
The matchless and mighty name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ works countless wonders whenever it is invoked with living faith; deep devotion; genuine reverence; and, above all, deepest love. The Great Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ means “God our Savior.” First Point: The Holy Name of Jesus obtains a treasury of graces…
Who could imagine that the faithful Catholic would now be carrying this cross — a cross certainly no heavier than that of our beloved martyrs before us, yet a cross so seemingly unique in all salvation history? There is a de facto schism, a schism that has been going on for years, a schism brought…
Epistle: Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10 Gospel: Luke 7:11-16 Let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thee, govern it evermore by Thy help. – From the Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday’s readings remind us of the importance of compassion,…
It all started with a solid homily. To be more specific: Fr. Matthew Mary Bartow walked to the pulpit during a televised Mass on EWTN, and preached a homily critical of the Amazon synod and supportive of a campaign to pray and do penance for a positive outcome. But yesterday, Dawn Eden Goldstein, a formerly-popular…
We’ve been hearing it a lot: “Should I just quit paying attention to the apparent collapse of the Catholic institution and become Orthodox?” I’d like to start with the unequivocal assertion that this is a temptation to the grave sin of schism. Don’t do it. Also, as we will see below, it’s a bit of…
On September 12, we celebrated the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. The mysteries and marvels of the sacred name of Maria are so vast an ocean that the field of Mariology will never finish contemplating them, even through all the days of eternity. For the Name of Maria means and denotes, among…
Epistle: Galatians 5:16-24 Gospel: Matthew 6:24-33 Keep, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy Church with perpetual peace; and because the frailty of man without Thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by Thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation. – From the Collect for the Fourteenth…
“Red-pilled” Catholic men these days who are thinking seriously about priesthood or religious life are wondering if it makes any sense to enter a Novus Ordo seminary or community. Could God be calling them to be “infiltrators” who usher in a more traditional future? Or should they interpret their growing love for the old Latin…
For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) Years ago, when I was Protestant I had two spiritual experiences — one evil, one holy — that pushed…
Epistle: Galatians 3:16–22 Gospel: Luke 17:11–19 Almighty and everlasting God, grant unto us an increase of faith, hope and charity: and that we may obtain what Thou dost promise, make us love that which Thou dost command. —From the Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Last Sunday, the readings reflected on the importance of…
