Praying for the Dead During November

Father Mark has an excellent suggestion on something to do, from Vultus Christi:
The offering of the Precious Blood of Christ for the Holy Souls is a mighty form of intercession on their behalf. Given that I am a firm believer in the value of repetitive prayer, of simple invocations repeated over and over again in [...]

Monasticism and Evangelicals

I see a lot of new books that pass across my desk, one of the more remarkable trends is the embracing of traditional Catholic practices (which of course are rooted in the Scriptures), here is a take in Quiet Flirtation:
Be it Baptists, Presbyterians, or Pentecostals, evangelicals of all stripes can be found flitting around the [...]

Same ole Gators…

“Wait till next year” etc. Disappointing loss, especially when you are a Gator fan sitting in the midst of Georgia fans…who are very genteel while they bark and bark and bark…

Two Church of Ireland Parishes Seek Admission to Catholic Church

From the Belfast Telegraph:
The Irish Catholic newspaper says the parishes have asked the Vatican for “full, corporate, sacramental union” under the authority of the Pope.
The ‘traditional rite’ group was set up in Ireland in 1991 by those unhappy with some of the more liberalising decisions taken by the Church of Ireland, such as the ordination [...]

Stadium Concerts Starring Pope John Paul II?

Plus a new DVD marketing the late Pope, from the Guardian Unlimited:
It is also a first for the Vatican because it has allowed Boswell to work musically with the Pope’s voice, which is the copyright of the church, in some case altering its rhythms.
“The images, celebrating many moments from his life, have been digitally enhanced [...]

Repurposing of Sacred Spaces

When one travels to Rome, one is struck by how the Church essentially replaced a pagan culture, by repurposing temples, civic buildings etc. and converting them into churches. The Faith surplanted the previous culture, but in the US we are witnessing the reverse (perhaps symbolic of the how the Faith has fared in our culture)–of [...]

Teaching the Faith means Not Appearing Like a “Clown”

Pope Benedict continues his catechesis on the Fathers of the Church, today talking about St. Ambrose and using an image that will spark some headlines, from Asia News Italy:
 Those who teach the faith “cannot run the risk of appearing like a type of clown who is playing a part; rather he must be like the [...]

The Encyclical Against the “Modernists” Turns 100

From Sandro Magister:
The anniversary came and went in silence, in the Vatican, without any official commemorations. But the questions addressed one hundred years ago in the encyclical “Pascendi Dominici Gregis” by saint Pius X “on the errors of modernism” are still seen as relevant. The reservation is due, instead, to the specific measures that the [...]

CNN Anchor Maria de la Soledad Teresa O’Brien

Her name means “The Blessed Virgin Mary of Solitude”, speaks about her Catholic Faith, from the Sioux City Journal:
In 1998, she traveled to Cuba to cover Pope John Paul II’s historic visit. She recalled that people thought the visit would be a turning point for those who wanted to practice their religion freely.
“I was looking [...]

Feast of Saint Gaspar

The real “Superman” who found his strength in the Precious Blood of Jesus…pray for the members and works of the communities that he founded.
From The Church’s Most Powerful Novenas:
Antonio and Annunziata Del Bufalo named their child after one of the three magi when he was born on the Feast of the Epiphany in 1786 in [...]

The Second Martyrdom of St. Isaac Jogues

From ANGUS MACDOUGALL:
Strangely enough, his brethren in Canada learned of his escape from the Iroquois only when he re-appeared on the St. Lawrence that June of 1644! In those days communications left something to be desired.
     Mere Marie de l’Incarnation, “mother of the Canadian Church” and good friend of Jogues, wrote to her son Claude [...]

New Cardinals Announced, One Died Last Night

The announcement, from the Vatican: 
 Following today’s general audience, the Holy Father announced the names of 23 prelates who will be created cardinals in a consistory due to be held on November 24, the eve of the Feast of Christ the King. The consistory will be the second of his pontificate.   Following the November 24 concistory, [...]

Spe Salvi (”Saved by Hope”)

Surprise…there are two forthcoming Encyclicals from Pope Benedict XVI and the next one to be released won’t be the “social” one, but one on hope. Whatever it will be, when Benedict writes it is time well worth spent reading!

Review: The Church’s Most Powerful Novenas

Reviewed by Ana Braga-Henebry, M.A.

Possible Miracles for Ven. Solanus?

The files documenting the case head to Rome, from the Archdiocese of Detroit:
 When Bro. Leo Wollenweber, OFM Cap., flies to Rome Sunday, Oct. 14, he may be carrying with him details of the miracle that finally advances the Ven. Solanus Casey the next step on the way to being declared a saint.
“I have three cases [...]