Regular Contributions

Did you comment on HHS? What did you say?

With less than an hour to go before the public comment deadline, we’ve gotten several reports of what people wound up saying. One early comment came from another attorney who wrote his own comment, a darn good one. Several reported that they copied and pasted our comment directly. Several others said they had already comment…

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A religious icon depicting an angel in pink and green robes greeting a woman dressed in red and blue. The scene is set within an architectural structure with Greek text above: "ΧΑΙΡΕ ΚΕΧΑΡΙΤΩΜΕΝΗ" and "Ο ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ" (The Annunciation). The angel holds a staff, and there is a vase with flowers on the altar between them."

Is Annunciation Really Today? Why Would it Bother Me?

As we discussed back on March 25th, today is the feast of the Annunciation, or is it? Is Pope Francis really ruining the Western Church, or is the uncertainty of a day like today? What should we be irritated by today?

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Easter-themed baskets with white and red decorations, featuring religious text "Christ is Risen" in red. Baskets contain greenery and white flowers, with lace and ribbon accents. The baskets are placed on a wooden surface near a window."

Święconka tradition emulates the very first Easter – 7 foods, and Holy Saturday Blessing of Food

Holy Saturday, Easter baskets, and blessed food for first Easter meal. With the prayers usually prayed by the priest over the seven foods traditionally in the basket.

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A detailed marble bust of a man with short curly hair, wearing a laurel wreath. The sculpture is in white against a black background.

Why Pontius Pilate is in the Apostles Creed, not Judas or the Jews. Gird your loins for the answer.

Of all the people and names surrounding the Passion and Crucifixion of Our Lord, why is Pontius Pilate singled out in the Apostles Creed by name? The answer will startle you.

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A group of people gathered around a table with food and candles, led by a priest in religious vestments. The scene depicts a Catholic blessing of the meal with traditional attire and decorations, featuring warm colors like browns, whites, and blues.

Holy Saturday and The Blessing of the Easter Food

My grandfather’s sister, my great-Aunt Ann, was a formidable old Slovenian spinster. A woman who suffered greatly, she had no natural children of her own and lost her husband when his airplane crashed in the Pacific during World War II. She was a force to be reckoned with during her whole life and when she…

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A religious icon depicting an angel in pink and green robes greeting a woman dressed in red and blue. The scene is set within an architectural structure with Greek text above: "ΧΑΙΡΕ ΚΕΧΑΡΙΤΩΜΕΝΗ" and "Ο ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ" (The Annunciation). The angel holds a staff, and there is a vase with flowers on the altar between them."

Irritations of Modern Liturgical Accommodations: Today is March 25th, Annunciation, except here

Somebody broke our calendar in the US… Today is March 25th, when for the twenty centuries up until now, we celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation.

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Icon depicting Saint Mary of Egypt in a desert landscape, surrounded by monks and religious figures. She is central with a halo, wearing a robe. Text at top reads 'Saint Mary of Egypt' in Cyrillic script."

You should read this: The Life of St. Mary of Egypt

The Story of Saint Mary of Egypt and Father Zosimas is a perennially rich source of grace for lent. Enjoy reading this with your family this week.

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Black and white portrait of an elderly man wearing glasses, papal attire including a skullcap (zucchetto) and collar. He appears to be smiling gently, conveying a serene expression.

The Plan of this Pontificate: The Standard of Christ

It is fitting that the Holy Father’s Mass of Inauguration will be offered on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, as the Holy Father has indicated his great devotion to St. Joseph. Indeed, the first days of his Pontificate have also shown his tender and devoted love for Our Blessed Lady,…

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A bright orange background with bold black text explaining a removed parody image of Pope Francis due to copyright issues. A warning sign is present at the bottom, with a black and yellow color scheme. The text discusses fair use laws and licensing fees for parody content.

Pope to have Greek at Mass, keeps St Joseph readings, and continues St. John the Baptist theme

Words circulating the internets today have yielded some information about Pope Francis, SJ’s installation Mass tomorrow. He is whacking the offertory procession. Thanks be to God, I say. Unless people are bringing livestock and candles and rugs, I don’t see a point to this glamorization of lay people at the liturgy. The people should be…

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Black and white portrait of an elderly man wearing glasses, papal attire including a skullcap (zucchetto) and collar. He appears to be smiling gently, conveying a serene expression.

“Yeah, and I am Napoleon” — Jesuit porter receives call from Pope Francis, SJ (video)

So Pope Francis, SJ, calls the Jesuit Curia himself, and asks for the Superior General, and upon identifying himself as Pope, the porter, having received many prank calls since the election of Pope Francis was put out, and reported that he nearly said, “Yeah, and I am Napolean” – HAH! But, Pope Francis calmly said,…

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