Regular Contributions
For University Students: Authentic Common Sense in An Age of Uncommon Nonsense
I just saw an ad for Google TV. It was entitled “Date Night.” The ad featured a man and a woman sitting on a couch together. The perspective of the viewer is seeing the backs of their heads. Both are watching a screen; playing on the screen is an obvious “romance” movie where a woman…
The Purpose of the Liturgy is Miracles with the Living God
Today, in the wake of so many complex errors inflicted upon the faithful, it is always best to start with some basics. Too often in academic discussions we tend to gloss over the obvious. The basics of this discussion have to do with defining Liturgy and reminding people of the single sentence explanation of the…
In memoria aeterna erunt justi: Remembering the Holy Souls
One of the curiosities of the Roman Calendar (or more properly, the calendar of the Roman Rite) is the dedication of the month of November to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. For many of us, these souls are also known as the Poor Souls in Purgatory–“poor” because of the sufferings they endure as the result…
Fr. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J. Day
Today is Fr. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J. Day in Shenandoah, PA. St. Casimir’s, the boyhood parish of Fr. Ciszek hosts this annual day to pray for his Cause of Canonization. In typical good Polish style, there is Mass, a hearty meal, and a social afterwards. Why should we pray for Fr. Ciszek’s canonization? G.K. Chesterton once commented: The saint…
The Saint behind the Jagermeister Logo is also one of the 14 Holy Helpers
Back in the second century, Rome had not yet converted and was yet hostile to Catholics. A General in Emperor Trajan’s army, Placidis (as he was known before his Christening), was known to be a good man who performed good acts. One day, he discovered Him who was behind goodness in the strangest way, which…
The Natural Law
THE NATURAL LAW Charles E. Rice Professor Emeritus, Notre Dame Law School Address, Canon Law Conference Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe LaCrosse, Wisconsin August 9, 2011 What is the natural law and why do we need it? The “September Pope,” John Paul I, at his general audience on September 6, 1978, gave us a…
Adoration is the Way to Go
Are you sick of politics? Consider the derivation of the word. Some say that “poli” means many and “tics” are little blood-sucking creatures. The profession of politics, of course, is honorable. But, whatever side we were on in the recent elections, we can be excused if we suspect that politicians don’t have all the answers,…
A Commentary on the U.S. Catholic Conference
A Commentary on the U.S. Catholic Conference I. IntroductionII. National Religious Partnership for the EnvironmentA. NRPE BackgroundB. NRPE PartnersC. NRPE WorkIII. Environmental Activities Directly Produced by USCCA. USCC Department of Social Justice and World PeaceB. Environmental Justice ProgramIV Environmental Activities and Programs Supported Indirectly through USCC-Associated OrganizationsA. CCHDB. Other Educational MaterialsV Conclusions Part IThe EnvironmentBy…
The Underground Call to Action
Forum Focus: Winter 1999 (Vol. XII, No. 1) Stephanie Block If internal heresy were likened to a disease, how might one image its progressive assault against the Body of Christ? Its errors embed themselves within the members of diocesan staff and in parish leadership, from where they spread through polluted catechesis, workshops, and homilies. The…
THE ON-GOING MARXIST MARCH
…critical interpretation of texts, etc., as religious values.” [note 3] Revisionary Theologies We learn in Catholicism, [note 4] courtesy of the theologizing of Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, that the Church in Latin…
