The words of the centurion, words that we say again and again at every celebration of Holy Mass, are among the truest words that we can ever utter: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul s … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – October 2023
September 22, 2023 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
The Reasons for Marian Devotion Question: Would Fr. Mullady please explain the Church’s emphasis on Mary? Since the answer could be lengthy, recommending a few core texts would be very helpful. It seems that Marian devotion is a wonderful g … [Read more...]
Book Reviews – January 2022
December 24, 2021 by Book Reviews
When Breath Becomes Air. By Paul Kalanithi. Reviewed by Richard J. Janet. (skip to review) St. Clare of Assisi: Light From the Cloister. By Bret Thoman. Reviewed by Lawrence Montz. (skip to review) America on Trial: A Defense of the … [Read more...]
Cultivating Time for Eternity, Parts II and III
Ecology, Exceptionalism, and Apocalypse
September 7, 2020 by Matthew Tsakanikas, STD
It is contradictory to insist that future generations respect the natural environment when our educational systems and laws do not help them to respect themselves. The book of nature is one and indivisible: it takes in not only the … [Read more...]
No Peace, No Justice
Why the Rioters Are in the Wrong
July 2, 2020 by Richard H. Bulzacchelli, STD
In cities across the country, people are rioting in the streets in response, they say, to the death of George Floyd, who lost his life on May 25, while police, in Minneapolis, apprehended him on suspicion of passing counterfeit currency — a … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – February 2020
February 10, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Purgatory and Filthy Lucre Question: I teach RCIA and a catechumen in my class said he was taught that Catholics dreamed up Purgatory as a way to get money from people. I know Purgatory is referred to in Maccabees and responded that … [Read more...]
Conscience as Relationship, Part I
General Principles and Personal Experience
January 26, 2020 by Francis Etheredge
As regards the discernment of what is actually good amidst the multitude of the many possible goods arising out of the “results of physics, genetics, and neuroscience, as well as of increasingly powerful computing capabilities, [and the] p … [Read more...]
Clericalism
Betrayal of the Body of Christ
March 28, 2019 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Why Is Clericalism so Bad? The most lethal consequence of clericalism, I believe, is the deadening it inflicts upon the Body of Christ, His Church ordered and intended for maturity — for holy, fervent, fruitful and glorious life! The c … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – March 2019
March 10, 2019 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
What Is the Institutional Church? Question: I hear a lot about the “institutional church.” It seems to be a phrase trotted out by people who want to see the moral law changed or to question authority. What is the “institutional churc … [Read more...]
The “Experience” of Modernism
February 12, 2019 by Jeffrey Tranzillo
The Instrumentum Laboris (IL), or working document, of the recently concluded synod on youth states quite starkly that “personal experiences cannot be placed in question” (IL 55).[1. Instrumentum laboris, XV Ordinary General Assembly of Syn … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – January 2019
January 17, 2019 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Mortal Sin and the Individual Conscience Question: My question is about the “full knowledge” element for mortal sin. My belief has always been in line with the following statement from the FAQ section of the popular program “The Light Is On … [Read more...]
An Advent Examination
November 30, 2018 by Fr. Kenneth G. Davis, OFM Conv.
Advent is not a season of penance, but of preparation. Advent prepares us for the two comings of Christ, that is, the Incarnation and the Eschaton. However, amid the garlands and the gifts, we all know how easy it is to become wrapped up in … [Read more...]
Purgatory: A Key Doctrine
November 14, 2018 by Rev. Thomas G. Morrow
The dogma of Purgatory is an all-but-forgotten teaching of the Church, yet it is extremely valuable in supporting the call to perfection. The fundamental purpose of Purgatory is not forgiveness of sins, but making up for sins, reparation. … [Read more...]
Reflections on the Crisis in the Church
September 18, 2018 by Deacon Mike Houghton
Every weekday morning, I pray the rosary in my car on the way to work. It’s not the most ideal time to do it; I’m often distracted by traffic events and inclement weather, but I suppose it’s better than not praying it at all. On Tuesdays … [Read more...]
When Does Sin Stop Being Sin?
July 31, 2018 by Dr. John M. Grondelski
Imagine I’m poor. Not dirt poor. Not homeless. Not living on the edge of extreme poverty. Just poor. Poor enough not to be able to afford some of the nicer things in life. Now, let’s imagine that I’m riding on the subway. I happen to noti … [Read more...]
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