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A book cover featuring a painting of Saint Maximilian Kolbe in a blue and gold robe, surrounded by flames. Text reads: "Maximilian Kolbe, Saint For Our Times By Brother Francis Mary, F.I."

Maximilian Kolbe, Saint For Our Times

A Vignette of stories about St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose total consecration to Mary paves the way we can follow and become superheroes like him! by Brother Francis Mary FI

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A man washing another's feet in a humble setting, with muted blue and earthy tones. One figure is seated on a stool, the other kneeling. A Catholic scene of humility and service.

A Footnote

By Guest Author, Edmund Miller Soon we will witness again the Holy Thursday Mass and its traditional washing of the feet.  Maybe after I am dead and gone, someone may glance at this posting…and maybe, maybe, someone somewhere might one day offer a homily that gets to the core of what’s going on with this…

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A worn wooden chair with greenish paint and a yellowed seat, standing alone in an empty room.

Seeing and Teaching

by Guest Author, Edmund Miller The Gospel of John tells the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who goes out at night to find and to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he says, “we know you are a teacher come from God, for no one can work the signs that you work unless God is with him”(3:2)….

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A man with short hair and a sweater in deep thought, resting his chin on his hands. The photo is black and white, capturing a contemplative moment.

“It’s A Wonderful Life”: Capracorn?

As is my Christmas tradition, I watched Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” once again last night. Watching the accompanying featurettes, I was surprised to learn that the film was somewhat of a box-office failure when it was released. Critics described Capra’s vision just as Old Potter described George Bailey’s idealism: “sentimental hogwash.” The director’s…

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A historical scene with a group of people gathered around a large cross near the shore, with ships in the background. The sky is partly cloudy and trees surround the area. Text reads: "The Legacy of Junípero Serra" by Patrick Laurence, emphasizing Catholic missionary themes."

The Legacy of Junípero Serra

Guest Patrick Laurence presents a realistic examination of Serra’s contribution to the Native Americans versus what the secular State might have done and did.

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picture of a hippy playing guiter in a church in front of a felt banner

The Problem with the Prevenient: Low Expectations are Killing the Faith

by Guest Author, Fr. Anthony C. Neusch “The most important lesson that you can learn in this class is this: ‘Children will succeed at the level of your expectations, if you are willing to help them attain success.’” It was the most important thing I have ever learned, and it wasn’t said in any of the…

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A religious scene depicting Jesus in a glowing robe ascending, surrounded by disciples in colorful robes on a mountain. Catholic theme of the Transfiguration.

The Evident and the Transfigured

by Dr. Rebecca Oas As we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, it’s worth reflecting on the fact that Our Lord was not transformed on Mount Thabor [Tabor], but transfigured. That is, it was His appearance that was changed before the eyes of the Apostles. I observe that Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines transfigure as “to…

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Bronze statue of a robed figure holding a cross, flanked by two kneeling figures against a brick wall. Catholic-themed sculpture with religious symbolism.

The De Smet Statuary at SLU: An Alternative Approach

by Fr. Claude Pavur, S.J. Editor’s Note:  This guest commentary is by Fr. Claude Pavur, S.J. on the recent controversy surrounding the Fr. De Smet statue at St. Louis University. Fr. Pavur is a well-respected Jesuit priest and scholar–formerly of St. Louis University, now at Boston College–and the Bellarmine Forum is honored to have his contribution here. The two…

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The Catholic Thing: Five Years of a Singular Website book cover featuring an orange and yellow sky over old European buildings with domes, including St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Edited by Robert Royal, preface by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.

“A Steady and Invigorating Catholic Light”

by Guest Author, Daniel J. Kelly The Catholic Thing:  Five Years of a Singular Website Robert Royal, Editor St. Augustine’s Press Paperback, $20 The blogging age has unwittingly renewed an old thing: book writing by serial installments. The website known as The Catholic Thing has raised the bar in both blogging and books by publishing…

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A black and white portrait of an older man in a suit, sitting with hands clasped, looking contemplative.

The Value of Preaching to the Choir

By Dale Ahlquist I went to a very secular liberal arts college. Like most secular liberal arts colleges, it had been founded by a church. Its church affiliation had long since ended, but it still had a beautiful, Gothic-style chapel in the center of campus. The other remnant of its religious past was that there…

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