John B. Manos

A religious icon featuring a robed figure holding an infant, with gold background and red accents. Two angels are depicted in circles above the main figures. Themes of motherhood and divinity, likely representing Mary and Jesus in Catholic tradition.

Before Lepanto, Mary became known as the Invincible Champion, Triumphant Leader

Today, in Eastern Churches, special services and hymns are sung just after compline to the Blessed Mother. It may seem like an odd practice to American lent goers — after all, Fridays are well known in the Roman Church for the Stations of the Cross. However, given that Mary carried God to us, and hence…

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Icon of Jesus Tempted in the Desert

Fasts and Lent. If you want to cast out demons…

Last year, I posted about the history of fasting during lent. I think the article stands up well this year, too. I’d only add that the topic was at least discussed at the most recent USCCB meeting. Rather difficult for me to comprehend how, when Our Lord told us that some demons may only be cast…

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A religious icon depicting a bearded saint in ornate red and gold vestments, holding a staff and an open book. The figure wears a mitre, symbolizing high ecclesiastical rank in the Catholic Church.

St. Valentine — Martyred for Marriage

Happy St. Valentine’s Day! By now, you will have already seen the day play out, there may have been candy hearts with messages on them, notes passed by children in school, and then the adult activities. What precisely was St. Valentine about, though? Let’s take a trip back to the third century. You and I are sitting in…

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Lunatics or Henchmen?: Group Claims to have forced Pope’s Resignation… ???

I have never heard of this group, nor of such a court action pending. I hesitate to post this for fear that I may be giving attention to a group of lunatics with a blog. At the same time, this group claims to have achieved a court action in the EU that forced the resignation of the…

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KABOOM! The Literary Finale of Pope Benedict XVI was not his abdication.

Pope Benedict arranged a masterpiece, complete with cannon fire. Find out what his literary finale was and why it’s more shocking than the lightening strike on St. Peter’s!

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Illustration of three people protesting in Paris with signs reading "La Famille C'est Sacré!" and "Non au Mariage Homosexuel." They hold signs with religious themes, emphasizing traditional marriage. The scene is set in a public square with text explaining the context of the protest and fair use of documentary photos. The characters are dressed in casual clothing, with one wearing a hat."

French March for Marriage, they may yet be Romantics

News today from France about Catholics and “others” marching to protest a French bill that would make marriage be defined to include unions between same sex persons spurs some hope in the French. Recently, I wrote about a Russian cultural center to be built in Paris being denied a permit to build. I see some…

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Cathedral of Christ Our Savior on the Moscow River

Onion Domes on the Seine! (or, Our Lord will be Praised) – updated

The stones in France refuse to praise Our Lord, so it looks like the Russians will.

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A nun wearing a black and white habit with a cross emblem, speaking into a microphone. She is gesturing with her hand against a backdrop featuring the Syrian flag.

Melkite Nun Explains the Syrian Rebels are Destroying Them because they are Christian

Melkite Nun, Mother Agnes Miriam, explains that Christians are not fighting the government, and that the mass media is not reporting the truth — Christians in Syria are being beheaded, killed, and targeted — They are fighting for the own lives.

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The Secret Power of Saturdays, Difficult to obtain Today

Saturday is dedicated to Our Blessed Mother Mary. Don’t take my word for it, Pope John XXII, (take care to note those numerals) in his Sabbatine Bull (Sacratissimo uti culmine), declared it to be so. The Holy Roman Inquisition said so in a decree ratified by Pope Paul V on Jan 20, 1618, and we…

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A detailed religious icon depicting the Last Judgment with Jesus at the top, surrounded by saints and angels. Below, souls are separated into heaven and hell with vivid reds, golds, and dark tones. Catholic themes of judgment and salvation are prominent.

All Souls Day – One key to a clean heart – The Beginning of Memento Mori

Praying for the dead was ordered by the apostles, according to St. John Chrysostom. But how can praying for dead help us? Why do it when they are out of sight, out of mind? Are there special persons for whom we should pray today?

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