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The Saint Children of Fatima Bring Their Message To Washington, D.C.

The Saint Children of Fatima Bring Their Message To Washington, D.C.

The first-ever visit of the UN Pilgrim Statue of Fatima to the U.S. capital last week reminded Washingtonians that politics demands principles, and principled leaders. The United Nations Pilgrim Statue of Fatima spent two days at the Shrine of St. John Paul II, accompanied by the relics of two of the visionary children, newly canonized […]

Pope to Visit Colombia at Crucial Moment in Country’s History

Pope to Visit Colombia at Crucial Moment in Country’s History

Sep 4 17 • 1 comment

THE NUNCIO in Colombia described the Pope’s Sept. 6-10, 2017 trip to Colombia as “the visit of a friend.” That means, explained Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, that the Pope, “like all friends of the Colombians, will ask some searching questions: What are you doing with your life? Are you really happy? What is the meaning of […]

In Aleppo’s St. Louis Hospital, Wounds are Healing

In Aleppo’s St. Louis Hospital, Wounds are Healing

Sep 1 17 • 0 comments

By Josue Villalón St. LOUIS HOSPITAL, run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, is located in the city district of Ismailie, in the western part of Aleppo. It is one of the few medical facilities that was left standing in the northern Syrian metropolis after bomb attacks on the city came to […]

Poem:"The Logical Vegetarian"

Poem:”The Logical Vegetarian”

Aug 25 17 • 0 comments

The Logical Vegetarian “Why shouldn’t I have a purely vegetarian drink? Why shouldn’t I take vegetables in their highest form, so to speak? The modest vegetarians ought to stick to wine or beer, plain vegetable drinks, instead of filling their goblets with the blood of bulls and elephants, as all conventional meat-eaters do, I suppose”–Dalroy. […]

Solemnity of the Assumption

Solemnity of the Assumption

I once asked a college theology class if anyone could explain the doctrine of the Assumption.  A student replied, “Yeah, that’s the teaching whereby the Catholic Church ‘assumes’ that Mary is in heaven.” There’s a bit more to it than that.  The Church does not just “assume” that any canonized saint in is in heaven.  […]

Blessed Doughnuts

Blessed Doughnuts

Aug 10 17 • 0 comments

What is the deal with Catholics and doughnuts? I have memories of being bribed by doughnuts through much of my young and snarky life, to either behave in or attend extra masses. My father was successful at getting all five kids to join him at daily mass in the sacred summertime with simply a nod […]

Poem: "By The Sea"

Poem: “By The Sea”

By The Sea Why does the sea moan evermore? Shut out from heaven it makes its moan, It frets against the boundary shore; All earth’s full rivers cannot fill The sea, that drinking thirsteth still. Sheer miracles of loveliness Lie hid in its unlooked-on bed: Anemones, salt, passionless, Blow flower-like; just enough alive To blow […]

What is Our Purpose?

What is Our Purpose?

Jul 28 17 • 0 comments

At the beginning of the Baltimore Catechism we are asked the question: Why did God Make me? To know him, to love Him and to serve Him so that we may be happy with Him in Heaven. These words, which are a distillation of Catholic Theology are seldom used these days, but remain the essence […]

Poem: "Ecclesiastes"

Poem: “Ecclesiastes”

Jul 25 17 • 0 comments

Ecclesiastes There is one sin: to call a green leaf gray, Whereat the sun in heaven shuddereth. There is one blasphemy: for death to pray, For God alone knoweth the praise of death. There is one creed: ’’neath no world-terror’s wing Apples forget to grow on apple-trees. There is one thing is needful everything The […]

<i>25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels</i>

25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels

“Good teachers provide good answers, but exceptional teachers ask great questions.” In the Gospels, Jesus asks over 100 questions. Allan F. Wright, academic dean for evangelization at St. Paul Inside the Walls and an adjunct professor of biblical studies at Seton Hall University, chooses 25 of these questions to dissect and reflect on in 25 […]

Why Marriage?

Why Marriage?

Jul 14 17 • 0 comments

I work full time in marriage ministry. I have the honor to work with excited, newly engaged couples anxious to start the prep process. Their exuberant joy is quite contagious. After gathering the critical contact information, I like to pose deeper questions to ascertain where they are at in their understanding of marriage, and to […]

Poem: "The Purpose of all Gifts "

Poem: “The Purpose of all Gifts “

Jul 4 17 • 0 comments

The Purpose of all Gifts If my God grants me a gift, I must use it. Not for my well being, But for His glory. That is the purpose of all gifts from God. To glorify Him, By raising up His Church, Through teaching, Through prayers, Through writing, Through healing, Through singing. In all of […]

Poem: "Uphill"

Poem: “Uphill”

Uphill Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Will the day’s journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend. But is there for the night a resting-place? A roof for when the slow dark hours begin. May not the darkness hide it from my face? […]

A 10-Day Retreat with St. Francis de Sales

A 10-Day Retreat with St. Francis de Sales

Lift up Your Heart: A10-Day Retreat with St. Francis de Sales by Rev. John Burns (Ave Maria Press, 2017) is an updated version of St. Francis de Sales’ meditations, originally published in 1609. Fr. Burns discovered these meditations during a time of his own spiritual searching and seeks to share them with a new generation. […]

Poem: "The Skeleton"

Poem: “The Skeleton”

Jun 25 17 • 0 comments

The Skeleton Chattering finch and water-fly Are not merrier than I; Here among the flowers I lie Laughing everlastingly. No; I may not tell the best; Surely, friends, I might have guessed Death was but the good King’s jest, It was hid so carefully. G.K. Chesterton

The Principle of Solidarity and U.S. Healthcare: A Closer Look

The Principle of Solidarity and U.S. Healthcare: A Closer Look

Jun 16 17 • 0 comments

When members of Congress were debating the Affordable Care Act, many Catholics suggested that the Catholic Principle of Subsidiarity was particularly instructive in the ongoing U.S. healthcare debate.  Although mindful of the many relevant Catholic principles involved in the discussions of U.S. Healthcare (e.g., common good, separation of Church and State, life, primacy of focus […]

Sacred Music “Starter’s Kit” Helps Parishes Sing with the Universal Church

Sacred Music “Starter’s Kit” Helps Parishes Sing with the Universal Church

Jun 13 17 • 0 comments

Just how far off the mark is the music at your parish? The question seems unfair, yet the vast majority of parishes in the United States engage in liturgical deviations of the musical variety. Everything from folk music to heavy metal has been heard at Mass, despite having no official approval by the Church. Curiously, […]

The Plot Against Democracy

The Plot Against Democracy

Jun 12 17 • 1 comment

There’s no room in the Democrat Party for democrats.

Defend the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity!

Defend the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity!

Jun 11 17 • 10 comments

Every time we make the sign of the Cross we make an invocation of the Holy Trinity: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Those who grew up as Catholics, or in other religious communities with an orthodox understanding of this Triune nature of God, may take […]

Police Officers on Borough High Street, London, June 4, 2017

Breaking Up With Mr. Islam

Jun 8 17 • 3 comments

This arranged marriage of ours with Islam is going very badly

Poem: "My Soul is on the Page"

Poem: “My Soul is on the Page”

Jun 4 17 • 0 comments

My Soul is on the Page When I read your verse I am awestruck. To see such words before me, Knowing that my soul is on the page. And You put it there. My God, my God, my wondrous God, I am slain with the knowledge of You Such warmth, From the fire of your […]

Poem: "The World"

Poem: “The World”

The World By day she woos me, soft, exceeding fair: But all night as the moon so changeth she; Loathsome and foul with hideous leprosy And subtle serpents gliding in her hair. By day she woos me to the outer air, Ripe fruits, sweet flowers, and full satiety: But through the night, a beast she […]

A Message To A Niece On Her Confirmation

A Message To A Niece On Her Confirmation

May 31 17 • 0 comments

You have no doubt focused on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in preparing for your reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God… the emphasis being on the word “gifts.” They are free to you. But they are not cheap giveaways. You may have heard […]

Joyce Kilmer - from Last Civilian Portrait, 1917.

Memorial Day 2017: Joyce Kilmer

May 29 17 • 0 comments

The poet died in battle during the Great War.