Fr. Andrew Hedstrom@ProtoApostoli: (Jul 7, 2022) I am 100x’s more likely to read your tweet than I am to read your blog or listen to your podcast. Sorry guys.
With that in mind here is a collection of memorable Tweets collected for you to read, use, share ect.
They are some of the most interesting, thought provoking, uplifting, funny and perhaps daft quotes that came across my twitter feed.
Enjoy, savor, save, share or whatever else you do with tweets.
And if you like these there are more to view.
Easy Access to Tunes and Tweets from the BCCT
Janet@Mystagogy1013 Tweeting to the choir gives us all support and encouragement, which is much needed in these days.
Amazing Female Body
Catholic Charm ✞ ��@CatholicCharm: The female body is insane. I pushed out an 8lb 15oz baby yesterday and today I’m walking around like it didn’t happen.
Advice for Catholic Papal Haters
Christopher Walter Smith, SJ ��@Chris_SmithsJ (Jul 30, 2022) When Holy Father Ignatius found out that his worst enemy had become Pope, basically spelling the end of the Society as he knew it, he asked for ten minutes alone.
After this, he emerged with a smile, and carried on serving God in obedience.
I’d suggest imitating him. ��♂️�
RosanneCour@rosanne_coury: (Jul 31, 2022) This isn’t new. Every time the pope makes a statement, some people feel a need to detract and then move into an argument on orthodoxy or lack thereof. Twitter is not the best place for deep reflection and debate, but some use it that way. �
Mike Lewis@mfjlewis: It should be obvious that Catholics aren’t (nor should they be) required to read the in-depth arguments on every Church teaching, in order to make sure it squares with whatever they think “tradition” is. THAT IS WHAT THE POPE IS FOR. This is why very early in his papacy, I made a conscious decision to stick with Pope Francis and try to understand his vision for the Church rather than follow his critics. Yes, it was uncomfortable, yes, it made me reevaluate my assumptions, but what’s the alternative?… “Wow, thanks for convincing me that the pope is a heretic and he’s destroying the Church! Now I will also try to convince other Catholics to think the pope is a heretic so they can be just as miserable as you and me!” No thanks
Beware…
Zach W. Lambert@ZachWLambert: (Aug 27, 2022) Beware of Christians who literalize the words of Revelation about burning suns and seven-headed dragons, but spiritualize the words of Jesus about helping the poor, oppressed, and marginalized.
Buy A Nun…
Sister Bethany, fsp@SrBethanyFSP: The end of this week is “Buy a nun a book day” which we Daughters of St. Paul are normally stoked about…HOWEVER, our refrigerator died over the weekend…�
So, instead of “buy a nun a book day” would you help us get a new fridge instead? � Donation Form (donorperfect.net)
Catholic Aesthetics
D.W. Lafferty@rightscholar: (Aug 30, 2022) Catholic aesthetics are still pretty much the same, even if they change a little bit with the times. Big crucifix, Mary statues, candles, stained-glass windows, Stations of the Cross. Some of it is still very old-fashioned in aesthetic, with a sentimental realism.
Catholic Online Magazines
Abigail Favale@FavaleAbs: For the record, I think it is possible to have the occasional point of agreement with someone while also having broad disagreements that person. To believe otherwise is to be captured by ideological tribalism.
Mark@fom4life: “that person or group” such as the ones below. Some I mostly agree with and others I mostly disagree with, but yet I can find something I do agree with if I look long enough. That is what I will focus on and not the disagreements.
Church Life Journal@ChurchLifeND (Aug 29, 2022) We often think about sin as extravagance. The sinner is the one who drinks too much, gambles too much, who desires pleasure too much. In reality, the sinner is one who loves not enough.–Timothy O’Malley
Ignitum Today@IgnitumToday (Aug 23, 2022) “The moon does not take away from the brightness of the sun, but reflects it. Likewise, Mary does not take away from the glory of her Son, Jesus, but reflects Him.” #CatholicTwitter
OnePeterFive@OnePeterFive (Aug 8, 2022) “St. Lawrence gave his life for Christ, preached, brought about conversions, and cared for the spiritual and physical demands of the poor. We we should find concrete ways the help alleviate their physical suffering.”-Matthew Plese@acatholiclife
U.S. Catholic magazine@USCatholic ( 2022) Do we share the vision of God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven? Or do we confuse that vision by going out from the Eucharist and refusing solidarity with others—the poor, the immigrant, the prisoner, the unborn?
Where Peter Is@Where_Peter_is (Aug 14,2022) Christ didn’t bluntly tell the rich young man that his wealth is a problem and then shake the dust from his feet when the man walked away sad. Jesus was patient with him. And patience should not be mistaken for leniency or complacency.
Confidence in God
Jolz �@Jolz_Aust: (Aug 1, 2022) Nothing comforts me more than knowing that God is not bound by His Sacraments. His power to forgive is limitless and knows no parameters.
Patrick Neve �@catholicpat: Vatican II reintroduced the Prodigal Son into the Mass readings.
Say what you will about the council, but it had a fierce commitment to preaching the mercy of Christ.
Cults
���™��️�����@Lady_Star_Gem: (Aug 10, 2022) Why couldn’t people have started a cult devoted to better role models, like Mr Rogers or Carl Sagan or Betty White or Dolly Parton?
At least the consequences of being their followers would be to, be kind, be curious, be happy, be fabulous.
Death of World Leaders
Dawn Eden Goldstein ��@DawnofMercy: Dear Lord, thank you for the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
“Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” — Romans 14:8
Dinosaur Issues
Fr Matthew Schneider, LC@FrMatthewLC: (Jun 2, 2022) I just saw that recent study said dinosaurs were likely warm blooded but overall it seems like many had something between modern cold blooded & modern warm blooded animals. Usually we say mammals & birds are banned on Fridays, but maybe dinosaurs too.
Does Being Catholic Make You A Better Person?
Julie Roys@reachjulieroys: Indiana pastor John Lowe has resigned after a woman accused him publicly during a church service of sexually abusing her for years, beginning when she was 16
Now a 2nd victim has come forward, alleging years long cover-up of sexual abuse within the church Sex Cover Up Story
Steve Skojec @SteveSkojec (May 25,2022): Can’t shake the idea that religion doesn’t fix people. Grace is not demonstrably effective. Those who are actually virtuous are the ones who WANT to be, and work at it every day. God isn’t an interventionist. He isn’t secretly shaping you. YOU are. So make good choices.
Catholic Bard: I would say God shapes you based on how much of God you allow into your soul. As Amy Grant said in a song, “Deep within you there’s a spiritual fight. A voice of the darkness and a voice of the light. And just by listening you’ve made your decision, because the voice you hear is going to win the fight.” I think some people listen to God’s voice and don’t even know it.
Sam Rocha �� Texican in Canadia@SamRochadotcom: (May 26, 2022): I have been blessed to meet many holy people who live virtuous and pious lives. Many of them have been people who share my faith, but more of them have not been. This is a blessing. It affirms my faith in the goodness of creation and Divine love for all, in all, and with all.
Don’t Be Like This…
Fr Jacob Straub@FrJacobStraub (Jun 1, 2022) The denial of the validity of the Novus Ordo by any so-called trad is to deny the authority of the Church in her custody of the rites. It is tantamount to Luther’s self-judgment that the Church had erred grievously on grace and only he could “restore” it. Don’t be like Luther.
Ines San Martin@inesanma (Jun 1, 2022) Pope Francis to educators: “Not to speak the truth about God out of respect for those who do not believe would be, in the field of education, like burning books out of respect for those who are not intellectuals, destroying works of art out of respect for those who do not see.”
Don’t Be A Jerk To Others
@carcassofalion: “The world will hate you because it hated Me” has become for many Christians a great way to excuse ourselves to behave cruelly to others. If people get angry with us it couldn’t possibly be because we are truly odious
MJ ����@mj102015 (Jun 14, 2022) Friends, it’s damn near impossible to know your own heart, mind, & level of consent when it comes to your own personal sins. There’s 0% chance you can know someone else’s. So stop accusing other people of committing mortal sins & then gleefully telling them they’re going to hell.
Don’t Cause Others to Leave the Church
chris dorf@chrispdorf-: “Believers can have more than a little to do with the rise of atheism. …careless about their instruction in the faith, present its teaching falsely, fail in their religious, moral, social life, they conceal rather than reveal the true nature of God and of religion” (CCC 2125)
Fr. Ryan Hilderbrand@FrHilderbrand: Pretty amazing that someone can share that they’ve left the Catholic Church and so many people respond with “have fun in hell �l�o�l�”. Like, if you think someone is in spiritual danger, why on earth would you say or do anything that would drive them further away?
katherine ���@thekpae: (Aug 1, 2022): I will say that I have never been treated in my parish with the kind of abuse I receive from tradcaths on Twitter. Yes things can be bad in physical spaces, but I think Twitter has really collected and amplified the worst of the worst. It’s not reflective of my experience.
@Jolz_Aust: Who was I kidding? I don’t want to give up on my relationship with God or the Church. I need God’s graces and protection. I would much rather be a struggling Catholic than not be Catholic at all.Don’t Hate Retweet
Steven D. Greydanus@DecentFilms- ·May 8, 2022) If you are hate-retweeting rando accounts with low follower numbers as evidence of who “the other side” is and what they believe, you are part of the Twitter discourse problem
News flash: Literally any outrageous opinion you want to document, you can find on Twitter. That some rando tweeted a trash opinion proves nothing about people in general who disagree with you. You are not making the world a better place by showcasing the worst of the other side.
Every Person
Meg Hunter-Kilmer@MegHunterKilmer: (Aug 12, 2022)
Every person you meet is the eternally-beloved image-bearer of God.
Every person you meet is the delight of the Father’s heart.
Every person you meet is an invitation to gaze in wonder at the beloved of God.
Every person you meet is the one for whom Jesus died.
Steven D. Greydanus@DecentFilms (Sep 17, 2022)
Pope Benedict: It is good that you exist
Dennis Prager: lol prove it
“The world is a better place because you are in it” is a good and true message, one children need to hear. Fred Rogers was right to tell children “You’ve made this day a special day, by just your being you.” Prager’s contempt for this message of affirmation is hideously wrong. The message is that other people care about you—and that they are right to do so, that you have worth and value. (This also implies that if other people devalue you, if they treat you as if you were worthless, they are wrong to do so.)
Owl! at the Library ��♀️@SketchesbyBoze: (Aug 22, 2022)
reading a book is its own form of magic because you start to see how other people have grappled with the same hurts and heartaches and then you don’t feel so alone.
Jolz �@Jolz_Aust: (Aug 25, 2022) Whether it’s depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, low self-esteem, trauma, addictions etc. Many of us are emotionally suffering. If we weren’t resilient, we wouldn’t be here today. I wish we could heal each other from the pain. The best we could do is show solidarity and pray.
Chris Stefanick@ChrisStefanick (Jun 28, 2022) Most of the Catholics I know and hang with are stellar humans. Like…really humble, honest, beautiful, joyful humans. & the difference grace has made in their lives is evident.
Just feeling the need to share that.
Aimee Murphy ❤️��@RehumanizeAimee (Jun 29, 2022) It is good that you exist. It is good that you are alive. You are precious, worthy of love, and care, and protection from harm. No matter what has happened to you, or what you’ve done, or what you’ve been through—it is GOOD that you are here.
Elpidophoros@Elpidophoros (Jul 3, 2022)Every person, no matter who they are, or what they have done – for better or for worse – is worthy of God’s love. And if they are worthy of God’s love, then they are worthy of our love, too.
Fr. Casey, OFM@caseyofm (Jul 3, 2022) You can’t consider yourself a son/daughter of God if you don’t recognize yourself as also brother/sister to God’s other children.
Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC@FrMatthewLC (Sep 16, 2022)
The world is better because you are in it.
You are a wonder of God’s creation.
Jake R@jakeallr (Sep 16, 2022)When God looked at all He had made and called it “very good”, He wasn’t just looking at the things that existed at one point in time in the early universe, but the entire created order that He made and maintains to this day.
That means that you are included and are very good.
Friendship
Fr. Casey, OFM@caseyofm: The best relationships in my life are not so because of things we have in common but because we can disagree without any problem. Too often, I think, people surround themselves with those who agree with them and treat disagreement as “toxic” or take it personal. When I think of my best friends, I think of the times we’re totally in sync, but what really makes us friends is how we can completely disagree without becoming angry or thinking less of each other. Our love isn’t based on uniformity of thought but on each other.
Historical Fun Catholic Facts
Catholic Sat@CatholicSat-May 13th: On the very same day the Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Eugenio Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII, was consecrated a Bishop by the hands of Pope Benedict XV in the Sistine Chapel.
Atticus@Ardoramdonua: Wait so Roe was overruled on the birthday of the founder of the March for Life, and the planets were literally aligned, and it was Feast of the Sacred Heart, and it was Feast John the Baptist (who leapt in the womb) at 10:10am, and John 10:10 is a verse about having life? What?�
Hot Takes
Hannah E., Ph.D.@H_E_Ryan (Aug 2, 2022)David Bawden/Pope Michael was saner than most of the trads I look at online. That says a lot.
Greg7190@greg7190 (Sep 16, 2022) I agree war should be avoided where possible, but the Ukrainians are fighting a genocidal dictator bent on their annihilation. The alternative is the destruction of their country and submitting to a bunch of rapists, criminals, looters and murderers. Pope Francis is right.
Marilu Rebollar@luluq01: We live in a disordered world. Sin is a disorder, so is killing. Still, because of this state, things become licit and depending on the circumstance can even become an act of love in order to deal with the world we live it. This would not be necessary were we still in paradise.
R Bratten Weiss@Prof_RBW(Sep 16, 2022)Area homeschool parents demanding that we “not judge” those who refuse to vaccinate, even though they spent years judging anyone who was a liberal, a feminist, LGBTQ, or suspected of using birth control.
I am putting on my full judge regalia for this, thank you very much.
Morris Day and the Tempus per Annum❤️�@Uncouth_Bard (Sep 16,2022)
Between pedantic Dominicans, and Oblivious Francsicans, not to mention it’s time for a Jesuit to say something perenially stupid again. No Religious except the Daughters of St. Paul on Twitter.
Jim McLean@DoubtingDeacon: God predestines no one to go to hell; for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end….the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want “any to perish, but all to come to repentance” (CCC 1037)
Christopher Kinyon@TheIambicPen: I wouldn’t be opposed to some kind of purgatory where we each confront the reality of our sins and learn to reject them and be healed. Some us would take a bit more time and effort than others, but we would all make it in the end.
How to Start a Fight on Social Media
ByzanTony@TraditionSeeker: (Jul 24, 2022) Hi, I’m new to Catholic Twitter! How do I start a fight here?
Greg7190@greg7190: For liberals: Claim the church’s sexual teachings are wrong and the church needs to ordain women priests. Trads: Claim the NO is invalid and attending it is a grave sin.
Mark@fom4life: (Jul 24, 2022)State what the church actually teaches about a given subject and you will either get hit by left or right.
Logan@theloganspeaks: “My Mass can beat up your Mass” is always a winner.
Quoting any of the social justice teachings will probably ruffle some feathers.
I’d also humbly suggest saying: “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” and just see what happens.
Joseph Nolla, SJ@JosephNollaSJ (Sep 10, 2022) Vilifying others only breeds hate. If you admit to voting for Trump or Biden, someone vilifies you. If you prefer one liturgy over another, someone vilifies you. There are many examples.
Turn the other cheek. Love the other person and pray for them.
Break the cycle of hate!
Fr. Casey, OFM@caseyofm: I just saw someone make a horribly bad take, causing a lot of angry comments.
Curious how someone could be so wrong, I read the replies. Turns out what the OP “meant” was actually a really good point, she just failed to make that clear at first.
As a result, predictably…
1) many people lost their minds criticizing her.
2) she dismissed all criticisms as racist, sexist trolls.
What a fascinating app this is.
What fascinating is that, for people who know her and follow her content—the “in” group—what she said was probably entirely clear and a great tweet.
But for the majority of people—myself included—the implications were not obvious. As the tweet grew, fewer got it and anger grew.
Jesus True God and True Man
Brandon Ope-campo@CaptainVatican (Sep 16, 2022)
“I would create the universe again just to hear you say that you love me.” – Jesus to St. Teresa of Ávila
Oh, I’m sorry. Is that too much of a sentimental and bizarre statement?
Good.
Christianity is.
And that’s pretty awesome.
Life as a Priest
Life as a Kid
Melissa Presser@mzpresser: (Aug 29, 2022) This morning I had probable cause to believe that my son had taken candy in my house. The Fourth amendment doesn’t apply so no search warrant needed. I tossed his room and found the candy contraband I was looking for. Sucks to be the kid of a former #police legal advisor ���
Fr. Casey, OFM@caseyofm (Sep 12, 2022) There is a direct correlation between middle school maturity and their ability to slowly and seriously walk through a labyrinth. ��♂️
Life in God’s Creation
Dr Taylor Marshall™️@TaylorRMarshall: Today Joy and I rode horses � onto a small mountain slope ⛰ into a heard of 60 elk: cow elk and newborn baby calves. It was magnificent. They were all squeaking and talking to each other. Seeing that makes you realize how intricate God’s creation is.
Icona �@iconawrites (Sep 16, 2022)Thinking about how public libraries allow you to get an education for free and are a warm place where homeless people can rest and use the internet. Truly one of the best inventions humanity ever came up with.
Life on Social Media
Meg Hunter-Kilmer@MegHunterKilmer: Thinking about the girl I knew in high school who could immediately tell you how many letters were in the sentence you had just said.
Man I bet she’s good at twitter.
Steve Skojec@SteveSkojec : I’ve had a UFO interest since I was a boy. Always had a big imagination & loved the stars. Science fiction is the only fiction I really like. But tribes are tribes. I walked away from the feuding clans of traditional Catholicism and found the same thing with #ufotwitter. Wild.
Dave Griffith@poorerthandead (Jul 7, 2022) Twitter is like a party where everyone you run into is looking around while talking to you to see if there’s actually someone more cool and influential they should be talking to.
ZUBY:@ZubyMusic: (Sep 2, 2022) Twitter is wild. You can’t say ANYTHING on here without someone being offended.
If you say you like dogs, someone will call you ‘specist’ and ask why you hate cats.
Then another will ask you to define ‘dog’, while another asks, ‘source?’, and another asks if you are a vet.�
Meg Hunter-Kilmer@MegHunterKilmer (Jul 3, 2022) But men are hopeless creatures, and the less they concentrate on their own sins, the more interested they become in the sins of others. They seek to criticize, not to correct. Unable to excuse themselves, they are ready to accuse others.-St. Augustine w/the side eye at Twitter
�� Chris «�Слава Україні�» Smith, SJ ��@Chris_SmithsJ (Sep 13, 2022)
It’s amazing to me that anybody’d become Catholic after experiencing Catholic Twitter.
The meanness, rash judgement, divisiveness; putting the worst possible construction on other’s words
I’m a part of it myself, and I strive to be better. St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!
Fr. Casey, OFM@caseyofm (Sep 12, 2022) Your millionth reminder that you don’t have to denounce every bad thing you see on Twitter.
1) you’re just giving a bigger platform to things you don’t like.
2) the punishment (onslaught from a mob) is often far worse than the crime (a bad tweet).
Angela Erickson@integratedang (Sep 10,2022) Just a reminder— you don’t owe anyone a response and you don’t need to defend and explain yourself.
The overall sense that you do is what makes social media stressful.
Mark Brumley@mabrumley (Sep 13, 2022) A friend joined Twitter.
He asked: is so-and-so always at war with other Catholics?
Answer: yep. And such-and-such? Answer: yep.
Where do they find time & energy?
Answer: Sith Midi-chlorians?
Psi corps
mind control?
Dark algorithms?
Time loop?
The World,
the Flesh,
& the Devil?
Liturgical Stuff
Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC@FrMatthewLC:
Requirements for a good Mass:
1)Valid priest with proper ecclesiastical permissions.
2)An approved rite of the Church said according to the rubrics (say the red, do the black).
3)Reverence in the celebration of Mass.
4)Union with the Pope & episcopal college.
(That’s all.)
Fr. Casey, OFM@caseyofm:
This is what is required for a valid and licit mass. It’s purely juridical. If that’s all we want, ��.
Given the droves of people leaving the Church each year, I can’t call a mass good unless it also has relevant preaching, fosters faithful participation, and builds community.
Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC@FrMatthewLC: I would say preaching is part of #3. I think the other two are more something that comes from liturgy well-done: more a consequence than a pre-requisite.
Angela@TheWakingTulip (Jun 29, 2022) Let us continue to be astonished at the beauty of the Liturgy.The Paschal Mystery has been given to us.Let us allow ourselves to be embraced by the desire that the Lord continues to have to eat His Passover with us.All this under the gaze of Mary,Mother of the Church.
Jolz �@Jolz_Aust (Jul 7, 2 022)Some attend Mass wearing traditional cultural gear. Countless priests and nuns are from ethnic cultures too. Multiculturalism is keeping the faith alive in a country where religiosity is plummeting. I praise God for allowing His word to spread across all nations. It’s surprising and disappointing to hear of the racism within the Church. In Australia, Roman Catholic churches are diverse with parishioners from Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander countries (among many others)
Sam Rocha �� Texican in Canadia@SamRochadotcom: (Aug 1, 2022) I sang all the verses to Tantum Ergo when I was ten just to pass the time. I often sing my kids to sleep to the Salve Regina. Y’all are gonna have a hard time turning me into some anti-Latin Mass dude.
�� Christopher Walter Smith, SJ ��@Chris_SmithsJ: (Aug 21, 2022) Controversial view for Catholic Twitter:
Actually, Vatican II was the best thing to happen to the Church in a millennium (at least) and among its best fruits was the reform of the liturgy.
Participating in the Liturgy as the church imagines it, aka reformed, is good. Send tweet.
Matthew Q. Nguyen@Mqnguyen004: There is nothing better than praying in unison with my neighbors in the church.
I especially love going to Spanish and Vietnamese mass because of how beautiful they are when a culture can truly celebrate it in their own tongue.
Pope Francis@Pontifex: (Sep 1,2022) Today, more than ever, we need a non-worldly liturgy, one that makes us raise our eyes toward Heaven to experience that the world and life are inhabited by the Mystery of Christ; and at the same time, a liturgy that is not distanced from life.
NCR@NCRonline (Sep 1, 2022) The liturgy “is not a monument made of marble or bronze, it’s not a museum piece. The liturgy is alive like a plant, and it must be nurtured with care” and never be “neglected or mistreated,” said Pope Francis.
Movies and TV Thoughts
To Millennity and Beyond@Drake_OMalfoy: (Sep 1, 2022) Was gonna watch #RingsOfPower but a bunch of people who haven’t seen it say it’s the worst thing ever made so idk
Paul Leone@paul_leone: I just got a replica Horn of Gondor from the Peter Jackson movies and every time I blow on it, Ninja snaps to attention like he’s ready to attack the Black Gates now.
The Vault of Lost Ideas@VaultOfLostIdea (May 13, 2022) Rejected Idea 6773: Oscar the Grouch announces he is stepping down, prompting his dysfunctional children to engage in a power struggle to be his successor
Steven D. Greydanus@DecentFilms (Jun 18, 2022) Sometimes people who don’t like my opinions on various topics snidely suggest that I “stick to reviewing movies.”
I always tell them that no one can comment insightfully about movies if they can’t comment insightfully about other things, because movies are about everything.
local french woman@verlainestan (Sep 16,2022)
Favorite Christian Anime:
◇Spirited Away In a Manger
◇Howls Interior Castle
◇Princess Monotheist
◇My Neighbor Theotokos
◇When Mary Was There
◇Kiki’s Deliverance Service
◇Nausicaa of the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Matthew, St Paul respecter@NormalChillGuy (Sep 17,2022) Sauron is a more relatable character than you think. The way he treats the One Ring is like if you poured your entire life force into your car keys and then immediately set them down and lost them.
LBark@Pontevedrian (Jun 19, 2022) Good morning, Buzzheads! Today Buzz is celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ by spending several hours in adoration of our Eucharistic Lord! Why not join your favorite space hero in a verse or two of “Tantum ergo”? #Lightyearfacts
Abigail Favale@FavaleAbs (Jun 28, 2022) I love how Netflix content warnings are all like murder, dismemberment, sexual violence, total debauchery, and SMOKING
Owl! at the Library ��♀️@SketchesbyBoze (Sep 6,2022)
TOLKIEN: here’s a 1,000-page manuscript describing how the wickedness of Melkor led to the forging of the Great Ring
C. S. LEWIS: Father Christmas exists in Narnia. he carries sewing-machines and a sword. that is all you need know
Mary Pezzulo@mary_pezzulo (Sep 11, 2022) If it were really a live-action remake of The Lion King it would have been actual trained animals moving their lips for actors to voice. And if it’s going to be an actual live-action remake of The Little Mermaid it should be people underwater in fake tails swimming around and mouthing their lines without making bubbles and surreptitiously breathing through tubes. And Flounder and Sebastian must be a real fish and crab. Is that too much to ask?
Owl! at the Library ��♀️@SketchesbyBoze (Sep 11, 2022)“the Little Mermaid is supposed to be white” the Little Mermaid is supposed to be a blubbery, soulless, terrifying siren luring human sailors to their graves, as envisioned by Hans Christian Andersen.
Expectant Emily In Ordinary Time@EmilyKath319 (Sep 12, 2022) Sure seems like a lot of people’s suspension of disbelief fails when a *fairy tale character* isn’t white. It’s fine that she’s half-fish, though.
Sam Rocha@SamRochadotcom: The live-action Pinocchio was hardly anything worth getting too worked up about on its own, but it did stimulate a lot of thinking about the Bildungsroman and moral education.
Cow Shea@CowShea: (Jul 29, 2022) More heat wave inspired hot takes:
Minions are fun.
Doubling down on that hot take:
Minions are the only thing remotely close to modern day Looney Tunes.
(The movies Minions are in aren’t good, but the Minions are the only good thing about them.)
Music
Expectant Emily In Ordinary Time@EmilyKath319: (Jul 20, 2022) #NoSinGang – I love Wednesday night confession because the choir is usually practicing and there’s no line. My oldest two sat nicely in a pew and listened to the choir practice for Sicut Cervus.
Mystery
Church Life Journal@ChurchLifeND: (Jul 21, 2022): Before a true mystery, the mind can only give way. You can’t crack it, you can only surrender to it, and the mind boggles—you bow before it and you say, humbly, “Amen.”
–Denys Turner
Bishop J. Strickland@Bishopoftyler: (Aug 17, 2022) The strength and power of the Rosary lies in the reality that its entire focus is on the mysteries of Jesus Christ & His Mother the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Mary points to Jesus who conquers the powers of this world with sacrificial Love. All the weapons of men crumble before it.
Pelvic Issues
Amanda AMDG@schmitt4545 (Aug 9, 2022) According to Catholic teaching, all sexual activity outside of lawful marriage, which can only exist between a man and a woman, is a grave sin. No one is condemned, you only must control yourself. This is Catholicism, and it cannot be altered by anyone.
Mark Brumley@mabrumley: (Aug 13, 2022) Not sure how to make sense of a friend’s claim that risking alienating people is ok when criticizing excessive wealth or lack of concern for poor people, but other aspects of Christianity, sexual morality, for instance, must be changed/toned down because they alienate people. Can we agree that there are times when we must risk alienation of others out of fidelity to truth and love? But that we should avoid unnecessarily alienating people?
Ultramontanist Antifa Queer Brigade@OurLadyofAntifa: (Aug 30, 2022) Gay men have accepted we find X attractive but just won’t ever sleep with him from time immemorial; meanwhile straight pastors say things like “It’s a sin to be friendly with any woman but your wife, up to and including your own mother,” and then call *us* uncontrollable pervs.
Sheila Jenné@jennelikejennay: (Aug 30, 2022) It’s always funny to hear women freaking out about what would happen if a man saw the slightest hint of boob, and I’m like …. you’ve changed in front of me lots of times and I never ogled or touched you despite being into girls. Dare I say gender segregation is not the answer?
JJ REVAB@revab3569: (Aug 30, 2022) Jesus & Mary Magdalene, Saint Francis & Saint Claire, Saint Vincent de Paul & Saint Louise de Marillac, Saint Francis de Sales & Saint Jane Francis de Chantal. Be happy you are entering a Church were the sexes have been walking the pilgrimage together for 2000 years.
Jolz �@Jolz_Aust: (Aug 30, 2022) Gotta love how some people on this bird app think getting married and making babies will put an end to society’s immorality. Immorality can arise no matter the state of one’s life. I think it’s more disastrous to get married and have kids knowing you have serious unresolved vices
Dawn Eden Goldstein ��@DawnofMercy: (Aug 27, 2022) …I don’t believe that centering my evangelical witness upon sexual morality is helpful at the present moment. Pope Francis has indicated that the moment requires a more holistic approach to spreading the faith, which is what he takes in Laudato si
Dawn Eden Goldstein ��@DawnofMercy (Jul 21, 2022) An important admonition: “The more that actors on social media focus on LGBTQ people as the only ones whose lives are not fully conforming with church teaching, … the more we risk increasing hostility against this group of people already marginalized and persecuted.”
Owl! at the Library ��♀️@SketchesbyBoze (Apr 28, 2022) I wish we would stop saying “just friends,” as if romantic relationships were the only ones that mattered. Life is so much more rewarding when you stop seeing other people as prospective sexual partners and discover the joys of deep friendship.
Ashley Davis@_a_shle_y_ (Sep 8, 2022) Unpopular opinion: there’s nothing wrong with women dressing modestly to help men have an easier time with righteous thoughts.
Brian Burgess@Burgess7281975: Agree and could even be broadened to say, “there’s nothing wrong with people dressing modestly to avoid stimulating inappropriate thoughts or images in the minds of others irrespective of whether those thoughts/images incite lust.” �
Joseph Nolla, SJ@JosephNollaSJ: (Sep 9, 2022) Is it fair to assume that every straight person is promiscuous? Not at all.
Nor is it fair to assume that about every LGBT person.
The way some people talk, it’s as if they couldn’t even fathom a virgin who isn’t straight. That’s a problem.
Expectant Emily In Ordinary Time@EmilyKath319 (Sep 13, 2022) Boggles the mind that “comprehensive sex ed” is having kids practice putting a condom on a banana and not, you know, learning the fertility cycle. Saw a nutrition influencer on IG the other day claiming she got pregnant without ovulating. Sorry ma’am if you don’t know how cycles work, you can’t touch my diet.
Prayer
The Jesus Prayer@TheJesusPrayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Matt Fradd@mattfradd: Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in You, help my unbelief!
Fr. Casey, OFM@caseyofm: (Jul 19,2022) One of my favorite parts of the Liturgy of the Hours is the opening invocation: “God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.”
There should be desperation in our prayer, humility before God that who we are and what we’ve done won’t cut it.
We need help. Fast.
SW Prayer@SwPrayer (Sep 16, 2022)
Let’s offer one Hail Mary for all who are under the bondage of various addictions.
Please comment Amen as a response. #OneHailMarycampaign
Jolz �@Jolz_Aust: (Aug 27, 2022) I don’t know much about St. Monica other than she prayed unceasingly for her son, St. Augustine. She reminds me of a few mothers I know who never stop praying for their children (even as adults) to overcome vices and addictions. It warms my heart. My soul found comfort praying the Hail Mary
Melissa Presser@mzpresser (Jun 26, 2022) Pick one person on Twitter that could use your #prayers. A person you feel called to pray for. Reach out to them and ask them how you can pray for them. Can you imagine if we all did this? We would set the world on fire with the joy and love of #Christ. #CatholicTwitter
Melissa Presser@mzpresser: (Jul 13,2022) One of the best parts of being a #Catholic is always having someone to pray for you. It can be someone you’ve never met in real life or the closest friends. Now that’s a lifeline #CatholicTwitter!!!
Fr. Paul Keller, CMF@keller_cmf: Many Catholics don’t really know much about or have any contact with their own bishop, apart from his name being mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayer when we prayer for him.
Joseph Nolla, SJ@JosephNollaSJ (Jul 13, 2022) I was an atheist and the Memorare was the first prayer that ever moved me. I loved the confidence and trust in Mary to be bold enough to begin with an imperative to her: remember.
Nicholas Ferroni@NicholasFerroni (Jun 29, 2022) If you are okay with having Muslim, Jewish and Hindu students sit through a Christian prayer in public school, and not okay with having Christian students sit through a Muslim, Jewish or Hindu prayer, then it’s NOT religious freedom- it’s religious oppression.
Taylor Patrick O’Neill@thomaesplendor: (Jul 15, 2022)Would you pray for the repose of the soul of my Great Great Great Great Grandfather Lewis O’Neill? It’s probably been awhile since anyone has prayed for him.
Pamela Roth@rothfarms: Is there any reason why you wouldn’t meditate on those particular aspects of Christ’s life? I mean, I think it’s right and proper to meditate on ALL of Christ’s life. I cannot imagine that would offend Mary.
Mark@fom4life: Yes I do. Sometimes I use my own invented meditations and reflect on other aspects of the Christian mystery.
Pamela Roth@rothfarms: Me too! Usually a particular mystery will “nudge” me in prayers for specific people, people that I hadn’t even been thinking of, for reasons I hadn’t even been thinking of. But I have to take my time. I cannot rush through something like that.
Practical Advice
The Simple Catholic@simplecatholic: (July 20, 2022) “What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience.” —Saint Francis de Sales
Matt Fradd@mattfradd: (Sep 2, 2022) Let nothing Disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, Though all things pass, God does not change. Patience wins all things. But he lacks nothing who possesses God; For God alone suffices.- St. Teresa of Avila
T I M E S C A N N E R@timescanner: (Aug 16, 2022) Be a Kermit the Frog. Have a creative vision and no ego. Recognize the unique talents of those around you. Attract weirdos. Manage chaos. Show kindness. Be sincere.
Catholic Thinker@ThinkerCatholic: Quit messing around & live a life of deeper purpose & meaning NOW. What are you waiting for? As W.H. Auden once insisted, “You owe it to all of us to get on with what you’re good at.”
Melissa Presser@mzpresser (Sep 10, 2022) Life is too damn short not to talk to people or hold grudges. Stop being so high and mighty. I said what I said #truth
Duke Kwon@dukekwondc: (Sep 9, 2022) Rich Mullins: “Christianity isn’t about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world … Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved, and Jesus loved the poor, and Jesus loved the broken.”
Anthony@Catholicizm1: What’s with all these young Trads trying to bring back the mustache? There were like 20 of them at Mass this morning. I’m not digging it. Stop drinking the kool aid guys. You look ridiculous.
Pro-Life Thoughts
Ken �� �� �� ��@Ken77154599: (Jul 27, 2022) Every pro-abortion politician should be made to watch an abortion, & see an unborn baby fighting for his/her life while being ripped apart in the womb. But I suspect they won’t go for that because then they’ll know exactly what they support. Deep down, they probably already do.
micaiah bilger@micaiah157:
Pro-life laws DON’T ban miscarriage care.
Pro-life laws DON’T ban ectopic pregnancy treatment.
Pro-life laws DON’T ban medication.
Pro-life laws ban killing babies before birth.
Meg Hunter-Kilmer@MegHunterKilmer: Father preached on abortion today. He prefaced it with, “If abortion has touched your life, please know you are so welcome here. You and I are all here because we need mercy. If I say anything to make you feel unloved, please come talk to me so I can make it right.”
Beautiful.
Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC@FrMatthewLC: (Aug 29, 2022) Abortion is bad & ideally should never happen.
But, sometimes in a pluralist society where not everyone shares this view, we often need to support laws which restrict abortion but don’t ban it (it’s better to pass a 12-week ban than to hold out for a full ban that can’t pass).
D.W. Lafferty@rightscholar (Aug 29) Yes. It will take a lot more than trigger bans to reduce abortion rates nationally in the US, and it will take a lot more than unilateral efforts at re-criminalization to change the global consensus. The idea of changing hearts or being leaven in society is not just rhetoric.
Bishop Thomas Tobin@ThomasJTobin1 (Sep 16,2022) The baby in the womb, the refugee in Cape Cod – neither should be exploited for political points. Both are children of God. Both should be respected, welcomed and cared for. Can’t we as a society agree on that? #respectlife
Greg7190@greg7190 (Jul 4, 2022) Also in my view women should not be prosecuted for abortions or seeking them. However, at the same time, I don’t think a society could call itself ‘moral’ with extremely high rates of abortion, late-term abortion or infanticide. The church would be right to call this out.
Fr. Jason Piper@Pipahh: (May 5, 2022) Changing laws is good. Changing hearts is better.
Changing laws will lower the number of abortions. Changing hearts will end abortion.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, you delighted in carrying Jesus for 9months! Fill all mother’s with a love and longing for their unborn children.
Archbishop Gustavo@ABishopGustavo: Refugees are legal people in our country. Let’s be kind and generous; qualities of USA landmark. Comprehensive immigration reform is urgent. As God’s people,we are called to act, yes, securing our country, and care for our brothers and sisters coming in. Be rational. Think! Texas is not overwhelmed by refugees. We are a big State. Aren’t we! Comprehensive immigration reform is urgent. Our leaders are doing sick actions without doing little about the issue. The problem is not the refugees, it is leaders that cannot accept: we are one with humanity.
Questions
Kat Armas@kat_armas: (Jul 20, 2022) In the Gospels, Jesus asks over 300 questions and only answers 3 of them.
A Christianity that discourages curiosity is a Christianity disconnected from the way of Jesus.
Katelyn Burns@transscribe: Alternative history is always like “what if the confederacy won?” Or “what if the Nazis had won?” And never “what if all the southern slaves had murdered all the slave holders?”
Dawn Eden Goldstein ��@DawnofMercy: (Jun 2, 2022) Would you rather I not be friends with gays, or with any human being, unless our religious, ethical, and political beliefs are identical? And would you recommend that to others as a means of improving human fraternity?
Matt Fradd@mattfradd: (Aug 9, 2022) Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions.- Henri Nouwen
Robert Christian@RGC3: My 4 year old on the drive to the zoo:
- What is a soul made of?
- Where do babies come from?
- How hot does it get on Mars?
- Why do clouds exist?
Me to my wife: Sarah, you got this.
Reading
Expectant Emily In Ordinary Time@EmilyKath319: (Aug 28, 2022) My 6 year old has SURPRISINGLY strong opinions about reading the Chronicles of Narnia in publishing order, rather than timeline order.
Jennifer Powell: @Ace_Librarian7: (Aug 30, 2022)
I have made it my mission to unteach children that “fiction is fake.”
Here are my new definitions I started teaching today:
▪️Nonfiction = learning through information
▫️Fiction = learning through imagination
TheOneRing@theoneringnet: 50 years ago – in 1972 – Queen Elizabeth II appointed JRR Tolkien Commander of the Order of the British Empire “for services to English Literature.” She was ten when The Hobbit was published, and The Lord of the Rings hit bookstores two years into her reign. May she RIP.
Saint Problems and Other Things
Tony Capobianco@CaesarCap: In making narrated videos of sermons given by saints, I have found a disproportionate focus on vice, sin, obedience and hell. When I look for sermons on heaven, I struggle to find many and when I do find them they are almost always significantly shorter than sermons on hell.Steve
Skojec@SteveSkojec: I’ve often wondered (even when I was a very observant Catholic) why the thing we’re working towards & giving everything else up for is so scant on details. If you’re trying to motivate people to do hard things, sell them on the reward. (Islam figured that out w/the 72 virgins.)
Matthew Wauck@MWauck: It’s best not to read “sermons by saints” as solid doctrine. “Saints” were human too. Plus their sermons had a specific context in which they were preached; they’re not oracular utterances.
Catholics have to stop looking for oracles. That’s not how Christian belief works.
Fr. Tom Bombadil@calix517: I want someone to make a statue of St. Francis where instead of a dove and a fawn he’s got like a raptor and a leopard or something
September Susie is the Susiest of all Susies@susie_carroll: (Aug 6, 2022) I love that Peter bumbles and fumbles around, loses his temper and makes all sorts of mistakes. It makes him so much easier to talk to.
Mary Pezzulo@mary_pezzulo: (Aug 6, 2022) Peter was a hot mess which makes his repentance and turning into a good leader in spite of it all the more wonderful. We recognize this. Yet if you point out that many other saints were jerks who became saints in spite of that, people get offended. Pio and Jerome were jerks. Augustine was evil to his ex. I love Saint Francis and Saint Catherine of Sienna with all my heart but in addition to being saints and mystics they were also mentally ill, Saint Catherine in particular needed help. It’s okay to say that.
Serious Thinking
Sam Rocha �� Texican in Canadia@SamRochadotcom (Aug 21, 2022) The key, I think, to serious thinking, is to have a plurality of pluralities: an often divided self, weighing things internally, a range of interlocutors who also possess their own internal pluralities, and then some contact beyond the two, where mystery and unknowing reside.
Tony Capobianco@CaesarCap (Jul 6, 2022) Whenever I try to have objective discussions about religion, the longer they go, the more likely things are to become circular. For this reason alone, believers should be more patient to and understanding of folks who are searching for the truth.
Mark Brumley @mabrumley (Jul 6, 2022) “We’re rarely neutral, rational observers when it comes to life’s big issues,” the sister said. “If we try hard we can sometimes be fair *motivated* participants, open to contrary signs and arguments. But only if we try hard. Cynicism or hurt often robs us of the will to try.”
There’s a lot of nonsense on social media. But there are occasional insights that make it valuable (for me at least). It’s a problem to dig through so much muck but so far it is, on the whole, worth it. We’ll see if the muck/treasure ratio remains within the tolerable range.
A professor once told me: beware treating your discovery as *your* discovery. Others likely discovered it too. And be careful treating “your discovery” as a “discovery”. You may also be falling for a mistake or partial truth others have, some of whom have now moved beyond it.
Stephen G. Adubato@stephengadubato: (Aug 30, 2022) do rad trads think it’s normal to randomly send people a drawn out aspergian treatise on why something you posted is theologically concerning to them?
Michael Wong@miquai: (Sep 1, 2022) I feel like modern society pressures us into having super strong opinions about literally everything, but science has taught me that “I don’t know” or “it’s more complicated than that” is the right answer to most questions. Let’s embrace thoughtful uncertainty, when appropriate.
Justin White@SJMartyr (Jun 1, 2022) The intellect is capable of grasping the beatific vision, but it’s description is more particular than the sufferings of Hell, which makes its description vague outside of meditation and intimacy, which is the communication.
free™@acmills237 (Jul 5, 2022) It was Larry the Cucumber who convinced me that Christianity was intellectually viable, and I know for a fact I am not alone in this. His enemies are my enemies, and if you come against him, you come against me. His good is my good, and if you show him kindness, I will thank you.
Matt Nelson@mattnelson773: (Jul 14, 2022) We think we are so advanced, progressive. But can we recite poetry? Read Latin or Greek? Identify a logical fallacy? Tie a fisherman’s knot? Plant a garden? It is our “stuff” that is advanced. We are not.
Fr Matthew Schneider, LC@FrMatthewLC (Jul 5, 2022) We can never fully comprehend the incarnation, but by meditating on it we can get to know it ever more deeply.
Single Catholic Woman’s Dream
Meg Hunter-Kilmer@MegHunterKilmer (Aug 17, 2022): When reading in waiting rooms & trains & airports, I try to bring books I particularly love because I’m convinced that one day the man of my dreams will notice me reading Sheed’s To Know Christ Jesus or Leiva-Merikakis’s commentary on Matthew and fall hopelessly in love with me.
Struggling With Faith?
Rachel Amiri@godandchocolate: IDK who needs to hear this, but if you’re struggling w/ your faith, please for the love of all that is good stay away from tarot & crystals.
If you need something else that doesn’t feel churchy, go out in nature and listen for God. Walk, run, hike, move so you don’t feel stuck.
Feel the breeze and know He speaks in a whisper, in a roar, and in your heart.
Lean on Scripture (psalms, lamentations, Gospels).
It’s OK to be where you are. God will search you out, and He won’t give up.
The other stuff is a dead-end.
Unexpected Laughter
Kiyah@growingtotruth: (Aug 4, 2022) My job just announced they are going to remove the term “master code/document” from our company due to our newest anti-racism policy
I am the only black person at my company and I accidentally laughed out loud when they said this
Oops �
Visit the Elderly
Pope Francis@Pontifex: (Jul 13, 2022) I invite you to go out and look for those elderly persons who are most alone, at home or in residences where they are guests. Let’s make sure no one feels alone. Visiting the elderly who live alone is a work of mercy in our time! #GrandparentsElderly #BlessingOfTime
You Need To Be…
Owl! at the Library ��♀️@SketchesbyBoze: (Aug 4,2022)
you need to be a woodland critter.
you need to be helping a hedgehog lady iron her laundry.
you need to be having tea with a goose in a bonnet.
you need to be nicking mushrooms from farmers
What Type of People Does Catholicism Attract?
Joseph Ford Cotto@JosephFordCotto (May 26, 2022): There can be no question that Roman Catholicism — whether on its left or its right — disproportionately attracts non-heterosexuals, social misfits, basket cases, lonely folks, and those who want simple answers to complex questions. Why the RCC functions as such is a mystery.
Ghost of Guesclin@BlackDogBreizh: Strange comment considering every institution in the western world today pledges allegiance to the gay flag while the Church is the only major institution within these societies that still defends traditional marriage. You cannot understand among others the nations of France, Spain, Italy and most of Latin America without Catholicism. There is a lot more there than homosexuals, social-misfits and easy answers.
Wonder
Owl! at the Library ��♀️@SketchesbyBoze (Jun 7, 2022)The only people for me are the ones who are fascinated by something, whether it’s science or literature or old films… Life is so short and the universe is heartbreakingly vast and what are we doing if we’re not constantly cultivating a sense of curiosity and amazement?
R Bratten Weiss@Prof_RBW (Jun 13, 2022) I was sitting this afternoon just quietly tending to my work, then looked out the window and saw a Belgian horse loose, gleefully galloping across the pasture with an Amish woman and an Amish man in futile pursuit. Not sure if they ever caught the horse.
Abigail@AbigailAnneCath (Jun 23, 2022) I love that God made bugs that just light up
Tea with Tolkien@TeawithTolkien: It’s been a few years since I perfected my recipe for Lembas, waybread of the Elves. While some recipes remain more minimal, I felt anything elvish would have a very distinct floral or herbal flavor and so I chose to incorporate citrus and lavender into mine…
Writing
Steven D. Greydanus@DecentFilms (Jul 16, 2022) Writing about movies is what fixes the details in your mind
Karen Swallow Prior (Notorious KSP)@KSPrior:
Writing is hard.
That’s the tweet.
Steven D. Greydanus@DecentFilms: Corollary: thinking clearly is hard
Owl! at the Library ��♀️@SketchesbyBoze: (Jul 21, 2022) it’s still so funny to me that Agatha Christie’s first husband tried to leave her and she faked her own death to get even. like you think you can just divorce Agatha Christie? a woman who gets paid to invent crimes?
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