Since I started blogging after my reversion to Catholicism in 2016, one of the topics that fascinates me the most is the significance of Mary in the Bible, her relationship with Jesus and how her role has influenced the development of the Church. My experiences in both Evangelical Protestant and Catholic communities have honed my appreciation for her as someone with a firsthand encounter with God Incarnate as she bore Him, nurtured Him, doted upon Him, raised Him and experienced… Read more
July 26, 2020
In Defense of Mary’s Immaculate Conception
July 26, 2020 By René Albert
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When most people hear the term ‘Immaculate Conception,’ the first thing that often comes to mind is how Jesus was born without Original Sin. At first this seems to make sense, since most Christians who adhere to the Apostle’s and Nicene Creed believe He lived a sinless life. However, the moment Jesus was conceived in the womb is rather known as the Incarnation. The term Immaculate Conception was actually coined by the Catholic Church to refer to the Virgin Mary… Read more
July 7, 2020
Pachamama, Black Lives Matter and the Spirit of Iconoclasm
July 7, 2020 By René Albert
Earlier this year, the Catholic community had endured the excitement of the Amazonian Synod which was overshadowed by controversy. An icon was introduced by a group from the Amazon region that appeared to be a woman bearing life in her womb. My first impression was it appeared to be an indigenous depiction of the Virgin Mary. Though due to the widespread confusion from various media sources and voices on social media, there was no clear answer as for who the… Read more
June 23, 2020
What Is The Definition Of A Cult?
June 23, 2020 By René Albert
As a Catholic blogger, I often receive comments from people who may not agree with Catholic doctrine or view Catholicism in a positive light. One of the most harsh criticisms I receive from fundamentalist Protestant Christians is that I’m a part of the largest cult in the history of the world. This is often paired with a plea to ‘return to Christ and leave the church of Rome.’ I think, for the most part, these people are sincere in their… Read more
June 18, 2020
Should A Rosary Be Worn Around The Neck?
June 18, 2020 By René Albert
When I was in high school, one of my favorite hats was a black New York Yankees baseball cap – though I was neither a Yankees fan, nor was I ever really into baseball. Along with FUBU, Ecko, Exhaust and Fox Racing, Yankees caps were among one of the trending clothing items to wear in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Most people (including myself) who wore that merchandise back then hardly knew anything about the brands or what they… Read more
June 16, 2020
7 Prominent Catholic Voices Who Influenced My Return To The Church
June 16, 2020 By René Albert
As a reverted Catholic and former Evangelical, I’ve often heard fellow believers site the theologians, pastors or speakers whom God has used to lead them to faith in Christ. Many of them would site sermons from Billy Graham, John Piper, Francis Chan, R.C. Sproul and many others. For this article, I’d like to give a shout out to the prominent voices whose works have helped me through my understanding of the Catholic faith. Some of them might seem like household names… Read more
June 10, 2020
Activism and Virtue-Signalling on Social Media
June 10, 2020 By René Albert
There is a popular meme that periodically circulates on social media showing a scene in The Lord of the Rings where Aragorn bursts into the throne room of King Théoden shouting, “Gondor calls for aid!” Théoden responds by saying, “My thoughts and prayers are with Gondor. Sending positive vibes!” In the last frame, Théoden’s face is shown with the flag of Gondor as an overlaying filter on his Facebook profile picture. This is meant to poke fun at how many… Read more
June 3, 2020
Systemic Racism, White Privilege and the Nature of Sin
June 3, 2020 By René Albert
As a Caucasian, I cannot speak for the experiences of my fellow humans who happen to have suffered oppression due to racism, but I hope I can offer my platform as an opportunity to share my observations with a healthy dose of nuance while simultaneously acknowledging those who have been victimized. A common phrase that is loosely tossed around nowadays is, “Check your privilege!” Anytime we are approached with such a direct phrase we are often overwhelmed with a sense of… Read more
May 25, 2020
Why Christian Films Are Absolutely Terrible
May 25, 2020 By René Albert
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Cinematography may have only been around for over a century, but it has become one of the most utilized forms of communication in the modern age. It combines storytelling, music, drawing and painting (in cases of animation) with photography in a way that has never been artistically expressed or realized with such ingenuity in previous history. With that in mind, there are many factors that make for a good film such as a compelling story arc, relatable characters who grow… Read more
May 19, 2020
Your Conversion Experience Does Not Determine Your Spiritual Worth
May 19, 2020 By René Albert
A former acquaintance on Facebook who has become outspokenly anti-Catholic had recently posted on social media, and I quote verbatim: Different types of conversion: When a Catholic converts to Protestantism, it’s almost always the case that the person, in doing so, experiences a true conversion: they experience a radical reorientation of heart and mind. No longer is prayer and Church attendance an obligation or burden, but something they really love and enjoy doing. Certain sins just melt away. They become… Read more
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