John B. Manos

Two men standing in front of a grand building entrance holding signs and flags. One sign reads "We all deserve the freedom to marry." The man on the left holds a rainbow flag. Both men are casually dressed, and the building has ornate golden doors with "City Hall" visible."

Alabama moves to destroy Children

This past Monday, some of the strangest things happened in Alabama, the alleged Bible belt. Out of fear that they were living the Wallace days again — Wallace the one who stood in the doors of the school to block the entrance of black children — many judges rushed to provide so-called marriage licenses to homosexual…

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Multiple bright red signs stacked vertically outside a store, all displaying the word "SALE" in large white capital letters. The signs are prominently placed above an entrance, indicating a sale event inside the store."

So What is Sexagesima Anyway? (the real secret to easy grace)

I never realized when I studied the Illiad and the Odyssey in latin in high school just how much my perceptions of words from latin were forever changed. I take for granted that latin words sound completely different to someone not familiar with latin. Recently, I was talking to someone and mentioned that Sexagesima Sunday was approaching. They…

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Cover of "The Bellarmine Forum" magazine, Winter 2014 issue. A pope blesses children with a focus on Catholic themes. Text includes "Building a Culture of Life" and various articles about life, mercy, and spiritual combat."

Magazine: Building a Culture of Life. Winter 2014, Vol. IV No. 4

Like An Aggressive Cancer… Historically, governments, healthcare personnel, and society in general shared the presumption in favor of life. But no more. A culture of death is spreading like an aggressive cancer, skewing values, twisting beliefs so that the precious gift of life is viewed as disposable like a used coffee filter. What can be…

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An elderly man with white hair and glasses smiling warmly, wearing a dark suit jacket over a light blue collared shirt.

Who is Laughing Now? R.I.P. Rev. Richard P. McBrien

Years and years ago, I remember listening to Bill Marra and Fr. Micelli talk on the Catholic shows they did, and frequently they’d discuss Fr. McBrien and nearly every time the topic of his work came up, they’d compare the past of Notre Dame to what it had become. I miss those kinds of guys, with…

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A festive Christmas ornament featuring Santa Claus riding a blue and white reindeer sleigh, adorned with colorful presents. The scene is set on a snowy base with glittering details and surrounded by green pine needles.

Forget New Years: It’s still Christmas!

I’m always amazed at how effectively our society can put Christmas behind everyone before it’s even really started! Christmas began last week — it is still the octave of Christmas now, today. We live in an upside-down world, though:  they thought Christmas started the day after thanksgiving, and ended last week. That was advent. Today is Christmas! It’s an…

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A religious scene with figures in traditional robes and halos, featuring a woman sleeping near a tomb. Angels descend from the sky with a cross above. Text reads "IC XC" and "Nika". Rich colors of blue, red, gold, and earth tones. Depicts a Catholic nativity or resurrection scene with saints and angels."

Merry Christmas from the Bellarmine Forum!

May the birth of Jesus bring great blessings and grace to you and yours! Sing with the Angels and the shepherds today, “Gloria!” Enjoy this homily of St. John Chrysostom on the Nativity: BEHOLD a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a…

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A religious scene with figures in traditional robes and halos, featuring a woman sleeping near a tomb. Angels descend from the sky with a cross above. Text reads "IC XC" and "Nika". Rich colors of blue, red, gold, and earth tones. Depicts a Catholic nativity or resurrection scene with saints and angels."

Christmas Novena Begins Today

Today, the feast of St. Andrew, begins the Christmas Novena. Said fifteen times each day until Christmas day, it is held in pious legend to deliver what is asked. Sometimes, it’s called “Prayer to obtain favors” for that reason. This version of the novena prayer received an Imprimatur from Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York on…

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On Feast of St. Andrew: Francis & Bartholomew sign joint declaration

Not leaving the occassion of being in Turkey on the Feast of St. Andrew untapped, Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew signed a resolution affirming that it continues to be a priority to seek answers to the conundrum of Orthodox separation. Radio Vatican reports the following as the text of the declaration. I, for myself, am always…

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A brightly lit cathedral at night with golden illumination and text discussing fake news, fair use of images in journalism, and public interest. The text mentions France, Moscow, and the ethical considerations of using factual images in news stories for audience engagement.

What? Moscow helps Paris fund Notre Dame Christmas tree?

Yesterday, Russia Today released a story that is probably lost on Americans, most of whom have only dim faint lines of history.  Catholics, however, particularly anyone with a mild knowledge of Fatima, are keenly aware of Russia’s role in the 20th century. Back in the 1700’s, France and Russia got into a knock-down drag out…

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Cover of "The Bellarmine Forum" Fall 2014 issue, featuring a silhouette of a person at a cross in a cemetery during sunset. The text includes articles on euthanasia, pro-life issues, and Catholic perspectives on end-of-life decisions. The title reads "Choosing Life...or Death?"

Magazine: Choosing Life…or Death? Fall 2014, Vol. IV No. 3

What you don’t know can kill you! ‘Tis a troubling time we live in. Humans are called vegetables and vegetables, trees, and even rocks have rights. A person can get in legal trouble for not watering or otherwise taking care of vegetation on his property, but a human in a medically invented “permanent vegetative state”…

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