Manos

Elaborate altar in a Catholic church with gold accents, statues of saints, and religious iconography. The floor features black and white checkered tiles. A statue of the Virgin Mary is prominently displayed above the altar, surrounded by ornate decorations and flowers.

How Cigarettes and the Blessed Mother can Defeat a Bolshevik Army

Quite some time ago, I read a quote that had been sent to me by a number of people, but I wasn’t really sure what to say about it other than express disgust and disappointment. Sometimes you read these things said by Cardinals and it makes you wonder if they are Catholic, or unaware of what…

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Black and white photo of a train wreck inside a large, ornate building with arched windows. The text "TRAIN WRECK" is prominently displayed at the top right of the image."

The One Group Pope Francis Seemingly Won’t Apologize to

Just a few days after I mentioned that Pope Francis said things that got people in an uproar over matrimony, here we are again. I see that he is going from Armenia to Azerbaijan, and talking to reporters. He mentioned strange things about Luther, and said that the Church should apologize to homosexuals for marginalizing them. I know…

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A man dressed in white religious attire descends airplane stairs, flanked by individuals in formal suits and uniforms. The scene includes red carpeting on the steps and flags visible at the top of the stairs, suggesting a significant Catholic event.

Despite all the Angst, Maybe Pope Francis is Right… And the reactions were wrong for the wrong reasons

In the past week, Pope Francis said something that got everyone in an uproar (imagine that).  Catholic blogs were immediately lambasting the statement.  Many claimed that he was wrong to say what he said.  A giant news network even got into the act and claimed it was time for him to resign.  I wonder if maybe…

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Black and white illustration of a muscular man with a cross around his neck, surrounded by people in traditional attire. Text reads: "One Simple Catholic Way to Boss Your Least Favorite Chore." The scene appears to be set in a historical or religious context."

One trick of Catholic practice to conquer your least favorite chore

Because the weather is more like a convection oven these days, and not wanting to feel roasted like St. Lawrence when doing the yard work today, I got all that done early this morning. I had surprised myself though when I noticed I was excited not because I was done with that chore, but rather because…

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Stained glass depiction of a woman with a halo, holding a heart with flames and a crown of thorns. She wears blue robes and has a serene expression, symbolizing the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Catholic tradition.

Who Else Wants to Hear a Story about Mary’s Care For Us and People We Can’t Stand?

In Mary’s Immaculate Heart, all things about Our Lord are magnified. She truly does make it easier to understand the essences of God and the form of the mysteries of our faith. That’s not a cliche! Let me illustrate by talking about that one thing we all know:  that guy you can’t stand. Everybody has one. You know who…

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A statue of a crowned woman in regal robes holding an infant, likely depicting the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. The scene is set within a decorative architectural frame with grapes, symbolizing Catholic themes of nurturing and divine protection.

Finish May, the Month of Mary, with an Indulgenced Bang

At the end of our Rosary, we pray the mystery of the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. May is a month dedicated to devotion to Mary. Traditionally, on the old calendar, today, the last day of May, is the feast of the Queenship of Mary. Fr. Hardon gives the history of the Litany…

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A religious procession featuring clergy in white and blue vestments holding a golden monstrance with the Eucharist. The scene is set against an ornate stone building, emphasizing Catholic themes.

Is Corpus Christi Interesting Enough to Draw Drunken Fops and Gun Salutes?

In recent years, there has been a push to make public processions again on Corpus Christi. Thank God!  after all, that’s Our Lord, Living and Present in the Blessed Sacrament!  We should boldly proclaim to the world the good news that Jesus is Risen from the Dead and lives among us! As we all know, not…

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A priest in white vestments with a purple stole stands by an altar, holding a crucifix. A group of men in historical clothing waits nearby in a church setting. The scene depicts a Catholic ritual or ceremony.

Is it Wrong to Judge a Catholic Parish by the Confession Schedule?

Back in the 90s, I encountered the “penance service” phenomenon whereat people were told to write their sins on a piece of paper and put them into a bowl that would be lit aflame to burn the sins. I never stayed for the finale, and had secretly hoped that the whole place would burn down…

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A fiery object streaking through a blue sky with white clouds, leaving a trail of smoke and flames.

When Pub Talks Turn to Fights: Of Gruner, Schism, Russia, Secrets, Fatima, and Plots Against The Plan of Mary

When the Pub talk Goes Sour, the Fisticuffs Ensue… I will be the first to admit that I love chewing on the tasty morsels of prophecy and end times. You can’t beat it — if the end is the conclusion, then you get to solve the puzzle working backwards to now. This is the great life of…

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Black and white illustration of a statue of Mary with swords, surrounded by books and text in Polish. The title reads "Rycerz Niepokalany" (The Knight of the Immaculate). It is a cover from January 1922, Volume 1, Issue 1. The text mentions the Immaculate Conception and the fight against heresy."

Kolbe’s Secret to the Best Month of Mary You’ve Ever Lived

May is the Month of the Blessed Mother Mary. Traditionally, people devoted a special care to do something special for their Blessed mother each day of May. I want to inspire you with “more” you can do and why. Best yet, I want to give you a story of St. Maximillian Kolbe’s secret, and how you can transform…

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