At the beginning of his pontificate, Saint John Paul the Great coined the term “new evangelization” to describe a great urgency facing the Church. Nearly forty years on, the use of the term is now widespread among Catholics involved in alm … [Read more...]
Archives for 2017
On the Lowly, Yet Vital, Importance of Chastity
A Response to His Excellency, Bishop Robert McElroy
October 19, 2017 by Matthew Minerd, Ph.D.
The reader likely needs no introduction to the recent uproar in Catholic media regarding the rescinding of various speaking engagements previously granted to Fr. James Martin, SJ. Those particular waters are so contentious that I think … [Read more...]
St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Cardinal Newman
19th Century Prophets of Lay Spirituality
October 19, 2017 by Dr. John C. Caiazza, PhD
It is common these days to read of certain figures whose contribution to the Church in some way prefigured the reforms of Vatican II—e.g., de Lubac, Congar—but among them also are the figures of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, and … [Read more...]
Blessed Are Those
The Holy Mass as the Heavenly Wedding Banquet of the Lamb
October 19, 2017 by Marcus Benedict Peter
Amongst the many images of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Catholic Christians are used to constantly thinking of the Mass as sacrifice, fellowship, and fraternal meal, yet few evoke such an intimate sense as that of a wedding feast. … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
October 19, 2017 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Question: There has been a great deal of talk recently about the fact that Christians cannot be rigid, and that rigidity compromises mercy and the Gospel. The Pharisees are used as examples of this. Why is there so much emphasis on this, … [Read more...]
Autumn Book Reviews
October 19, 2017 by Book Reviews
Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2015), xi + 279 pp. Reviewed by Dr. Joshua M. Evans. Catholics and Protestants: What Can We Learn from Each Other? … [Read more...]
Homilies For October 2017
September 27, 2017 by Fr. William P. Clark, OMI
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time—October 1, 2017 Readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100117.cfm Ez. 18:25-28; Ps. 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Phil. 2:1-(5)11; Mt. 21:28-32 Religion and Faith Often the Gospels describe a confrontation between J … [Read more...]
Confession of Faith, Eucharist and Martyrdom
With Special Reference to Early Church Fathers of the East
September 27, 2017 by Bishop Abraham Mar Julios
Introduction[0. Paper presented at Theological Colloquium held at St. Mary’s Malankara Seminary, Trivandrum (Jan. 13, 2017). ] The Church of the first millennium was born of the blood of the martyrs: “Sanguis Martyrum - Semen Chr … [Read more...]
Further Dubia for the Confused
September 27, 2017 by Rev. Basil Cole, OP
The Holy Father is given very special graces to guide the Catholic Church, being the successor of Peter. He is the vicar of Christ to which I adhere. Yet, when reading his latest exhortation, Amoris laetitia, I feel confused. In 1998, … [Read more...]
Under Eden’s Spell
September 27, 2017 by Fr. James V. Schall, SJ
I do not think my students understand Christianity…. Many (students in class) are denominationally Roman Catholic. Some are Protestant. While childhood years spent in pews watching the liturgy or undergoing initiation rites of one sort or a … [Read more...]
Original Standing
September 27, 2017 by David Warren
It is easy for anyone who takes religion seriously to become superstitious. Who has not thought before that his prayer is more or less powerful when he prays in a certain spot, or lets only the right words leave his lips? While most people … [Read more...]
Encountering Christ’s Love in the Sacraments
September 27, 2017 by Douglas G. Bushman, STL
In every way, the sacraments are about God’s love, fully revealed in Jesus Christ. In them, Jesus makes Himself present as the one who loves us “to the end” (Jn 13:1). In each Sacrament, He says: “I love you; I have given my life for you (Jn … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
September 27, 2017 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Question: Can you explain to me just what is referred to as the “dark night of the soul” in the mystical life? Should all Christians experience these? Answer: The question of the dark night of the soul is central to any description of th … [Read more...]
Giving Nature Its Due—Even in Sacramental Matrimony
September 9, 2017 by Matthew Minerd, Ph.D.
One of the “hot” debates in Catholic circles this past decade has been the so-called “pure nature” debate. The basic question underlying the whole topic is: “How should we parse the interactions, so to speak, between nature and grace, the na … [Read more...]
Meditations Upon the Virgin’s Virtues for Contemporary Clergy, Part 2
September 9, 2017 by Fr. Kenneth G. Davis, OFM Conv.
This continues the meditation begun in Part 1, here. Generosity: Mark 3: 31-35 Before Dr. Phil, there was a story about a couple who sought marriage counseling. The wife went in to see the counselor first, and alone. And after she left, … [Read more...]
Recent Comments