Regular Contributions
What Do You Do? Do you Scream? Do You Shout?
Years ago, I recall Fr. Hardon talking about Communion in the hand, and at one point, after explaining some of the boneheaded things, Fr. asks, “what do you do? do you scream? do you shout?” Sometimes, it’s just that way with Mother Church. Today was no exception. I like to recall the saga in the past sometimes because…
Epiphany House Blessing
It’s that time of year again to re-consecrate our families and homes to Our Lord! This blessing is needed today for those who celebrate in dioceses in the United States. For the Pope and those in the rest of Christendom, you may use this on January 6! Either way, commemorate the coming of the Magi and recognize the…
Who Needs a Savior?
I’m glad Christmas is an octave+. It’s just too much to soak in in one day. I heard that on a recent Polish polka show, the hosts were cracking a joke that Christmas for Poles begins at Midnight Mass and they don’t leave the house for 12 days. It’s funny because it’s true. Between the ham, the Christmas carols,…
“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…
The God of Wonder & Our Lady of Guadalupe
For those who are paying attention, God can really blow our minds sometimes. Take for example, St. John Paul II. Many know that the young Karol Wojtyla was an actor as a young man. He performed in numerous plays by the Polish Romantic playwright Juliusz Slowacki. The work of Slowacki was popular with budding artists…
Man-Made Climate Change has Nothing to do with Nature Videos
This week there was a nature show projected on the face of St. Peter’s in the Vatican. I agree with many of the criticisms of the event, most importantly because St. Peter’s square is recognized worldwide as the place from which the Pope and the Church speak on the things of God. Sure, nature is creation and…
The Cosmic Battle, Two Pontiffs, and a Novena
Is it weird to have a favorite holy water font? Well, I do. I’m weird. In the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls–not far from the place where the Apostle was buried after being decapitated for the crime of not losing his head–stands a very curious holy water font. The casual Roman parishioner at St. Paul’s has likely seen this…
Celebrating Advent
The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical calendar, anticipating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, the advent of our Lord began with the Annunciation. St. Louis de Montfort says in True Devotion to Mary: “God the Holy Spirit formed Jesus Christ in Mary, but only after having asked…
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Advent 2015
Today is the First Sunday of Advent. Here is an excerpt on the meaning of Advent: In Advent, the Greek Church celebrates particularly the ancestors of Our Lord–all the Patriarchs and Prophets of the Old Testament, but especially Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Latin Church also mentions them often in this period. In the Breviary, many texts are…
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)….