Another big change in the Catholic media landscape, as a venerable Philadelphia newspaper goes from a weekly to a monthly: Beginning in September local Catholics will have a new publication to look for in their mailboxes. Phaith — a monthly magazine — will be mailed free of charge to every registered Catholic home in the Archdiocese, including the homes of the 75 percent of Catholics who do not attend Church on a regular basis, said Matthew Gambino, The Catholic Standard... Read more
It turns out regular churchgoers take up more room in the pews: Young, religiously active people are more likely than their non-religious counterparts to become obese in middle age, according to new research. In fact, frequent religious involvement appears to almost double the risk of obesity compared with little or no involvement. What is unclear from the new research is why religion might be associated with overeating. “Churches pay more attention to obvious vices like smoking or drinking,” said Matthew... Read more
The latest census figures are showing something new in parts of the heartland: divorce. From the New York Times: In the 1970s, the divorce rate was so low in this rural northwest Iowa County that it resembled the rest of America in the 1910s. Most of its 28,000 residents were churchgoers, few of its women were in the work force, and divorce was simply not done. So it is a bitter mark of modernity that even here, divorce has swept... Read more
A Florida newspaper has details, and a video: The so-called Freedom Rosary, developed by a Vero Beach couple, talks a devotee through the prayers with a tiny speaker in its cross. Like the Confession app, the device is meant to aid Catholic tradition rather than replace it. “People are confused about how to say [the rosary]. They haven’t been taught,” says Rae DelVecchio, who developed the device along with husband Gary Graham. “We hope this will bring them closer to... Read more
More than a few people in comments here and elsewhere have compared Fr. John Corapi to Padre Pio — most significantly because both men, while renowned for their faith and their piety, faced very public accusations of scandal. Padre Pio, of course, was also charged with having multiple affairs and, like Fr. Corapi, had his priestly faculties suspended. St. Pio also faced repeated allegations that his stigmata was self-inflicted. I was curious: what did St. Pio do? How did he... Read more
Patrick Madrid has the scoop: We are aware that many of our supporters are disappointed in EWTN’s decision to remove Father John Corapi’s programs from the Network during his administrative leave. We too are greatly disappointed that EWTN had to make this difficult decision. We can assure you that it was made with much prayer and careful discernment. The fact is that Father John’s own religious community has placed him on administrative leave and his capacity to function publicly as... Read more
And here’s the picture, courtesy CNS: The pool report has details on what the President of the United States (POTUS) did: POTUS, having walked down opposite stairs into the crypt, looked at the tomb and a kneeler used by Pope John Paul II when he visited Salvador. The tomb looks to be a bronze image of the dead Romero lying in repose, with statues of grieving nun-like women at each corner. POTUS closed his eyes, briefly bowed his head and... Read more
The film legend died today at the age of 79. One of her many marriages was to a Catholic, Nicky Hilton and, according to at least one biographer, she considered converting: Francis Taylor [Elizabeth’s father] didn’t approve of Elizabeth’s proposed conversion to the Catholic faith. In April Elizabeth, too, had second thoughts, after learning that she’d have to sign an oath promising to bring her children up in the church. At Mtro, which was performing corporate sommersaults to support her... Read more
That’s the tagline on the poster for “There Be Dragons.” You may be seeing this at your local multiplex soon (click for larger image): Meantime, the director recently screened the film in Rome, as CNS reports: Cardinals, Vatican ambassadors and the leadership of Opus Dei gathered in a seminary theater in Rome to watch director Roland Joffe’s film, “There Be Dragons,” about the early life of St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei. The screening March 21... Read more
Table for two? Behold, a couple of chow hounds. Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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