John B. Manos

Humanae Vitae was the Soap Box Encyclical

I wasn’t alive when P.Paul VI issued the Encyclical letter Humanae Vitae.  I’ve seen and heard about it throughout my life, though. For one thing, people who were in their 20s and 30s at that time say things like, “We heard about it, but the priests never said anything so we didn’t think it mattered.”  Others…

Read More...
Icon of Jesus Tempted in the Desert

Of Lent Past, when Fasts Meant Fast, see what we’ve lost

From time to time I think there’s merit to re-evaluate where we are today against practices of the past. To comb the deposit of faith for gems that can illumine why we do things. Now that pre-lent is nearly gone, and we enter lent proper, I’m posting some passages about lent published in 1890 for your edification….

Read More...
Icon "Jesus Heals the Blind Man"

We Need a Miracle to Solve the Obamacare Mandates

Yesterday’s Gospel had the Pharisees asking Our Lord for a sign to prove that He was God. That Gospel ends noting that He and the Apostles left them and got into a boat. Then, in today’s Gospel, we hear that the Apostles “had forgotten to bring bread.” They must have been showing their disappointment and…

Read More...

Saint Nicholas has something for Everyone – Even Pawn Brokers

Today’s feast is that of Saint Nicholas, a saint worthy of notice by anyone and everyone. He was a Bishop at the young age of 22. (22!). He is famed with resurrecting people from the dead, including three young boys who had been butchered by their father. He brought wheat to his famine struck area…

Read More...

Christmas Novena Begins Today

Pious legends, especially those carrying the imprimatur, are relished around here. One of the better ones is the St. Andrew Christmas Novena. It is pious tradition that whoever recites the following prayer 15 times per day each day from November 30 (Feast of St. Andrew) until Christmas will receive what is asked. The prayer: Hail…

Read More...

A Personal Tour of the Sistine Chapel Right Where You Are

Click the following link to open a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel. Click and move your mouse around to look around the Chapel. Zoom in and zoom out. You couldn’t see it this well even if you were there! Check it out here.

Read More...

The Purpose of the Liturgy is Miracles with the Living God

Today, in the wake of so many complex errors inflicted upon the faithful, it is always best to start with some basics. Too often in academic discussions we tend to gloss over the obvious. The basics of this discussion have to do with defining Liturgy and reminding people of the single sentence explanation of the…

Read More...
The Jagermeister Logo shows a stag with a cross appearing between its antlers.

The Saint behind the Jagermeister Logo is also one of the 14 Holy Helpers

Back in the second century, Rome had not yet converted and was yet hostile to Catholics. A General in Emperor Trajan’s army, Placidis (as he was known before his Christening), was known to be a good man who performed good acts. One day, he discovered Him who was behind goodness in the strangest way, which…

Read More...