I probably shouldn’t be shocked. But I am. From RNS: Italy may be the spiritual home of 1.2 billion members of the Catholic Church around the world, but a new poll shows only 50 percent of Italians consider themselves Catholic. The poll, published in the liberal daily L’Unita on Tuesday (March 29), challenges long-held perceptions that Italy is a ”Catholic” country, despite the popularity of Pope Francis and the historic role of the Vatican City State in the heart of Rome.... Read more
In this picture, Deacon Francis Head of Atlanta proclaims the gospel at the Easter Vigil at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Fayetteville. His son Will is holding the book. The good deacon was ordained three years ago. Some background, from the Georgia Bulletin, at the time of his ordination: Deacon Head was paralyzed after a motorcycle crash when he was 20. Now he views his disability and wheelchair as a gift. “When I started formation, I did not want to... Read more
The image comes from the Air Force Chaplain Corps, which notes on its Facebook page: Celebrating Easter – Even at 35,000 Feet! Due to severe flight delays enroute to deployment locations that resulted in joint warriors and crew having to spend Easter onboard the plane, Ch, Capt Dairo Diaz of the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base N.M. and MSgt Diogenes Cruz of Hurlburt Field Air Force Base sprung into action and offered Mass as the plane flew... Read more
The acclaimed star of “The Miracle Worker” and “Valley of the Dolls” died today at 69. She had an extraordinary career and a tortured life—but this Irish-German girl from Queens had deep Catholic roots. She spoke about it with St. Anthony Messenger a couple years back: One of the most popular teen stars on television, now the proud grandmother of six, Oscar winner Patty Duke, 68, is enjoying her sixth decade as a professional actor. Happily ensconced in the northern... Read more
A humbling portrait of a man in ministry that should be an inspiration to us all. From The Catholic Free Press in Worcester, MA: Deacon Frank Myska and his wife, Elizabeth Myska, of Immaculate Conception Parish, both learned several years ago that they had disabilities, disabilities which have since gotten worse. That hasn’t stopped them. Instead, they’ve let their handicaps lead them into new ministries, ministries reminiscent of Pope Francis’ call to go out to the peripheries and to live... Read more
From John Allen: One of the paradoxes about Mother Angelica is that although she was generally seen as a bête noire to Catholic progressives, there’s a strong case they too should celebrate her. First, she proved that an independent, lay-led enterprise can pack a greater punch than officialdom in communicating a Catholic message. She and EWTN relativized the power of the hierarchy in America, not by attacking it, but simply by showing they didn’t need it to succeed. Second, she... Read more
I have been dreaming of little people in red cassocks and white surplices carrying candles and incense, and the long line of them never ends. It lasts forever, like one of those GIFs on Facebook. This, I imagine, is what the DMV will look like in heaven. When I awaken, my pillow smells of incense. In the shower, I find stray pieces of wax in unlikely places. My wife says “Good morning.” I chant in reply: “And with your spirit.” My right... Read more
A moment in time that captures a very different time. Written by Morley Safer with a certain puckishness—and deference, too—this piece offers a rare glimpse into the Birmingham cloister of 30 years ago. Here’s a shock: Mother Angelica and her nuns singing “Here I Am, Lord.” Take a look, and enjoy. [facebook url=”https://www.facebook.com/careygoin/videos/1291246394219/” /] Read more
While the priest’s order has not confirmed the execution, multiple reports say it’s true, citing as their source the cardinal archbishop of Vienna. Details: The Indian Catholic priest kidnapped by ISIS-linked terrorists in Yemen earlier this month was crucified on Good Friday, it has been claimed. Father Thomas Uzhunnalil, 56, was taken by Islamist gunmen, reportedly linked to ISIS, who attacked an old people’s home in Aden, southern Yemen, killing at least 15 people, on March 4. The terrorists reportedly carried out the... Read more
From Crux: Pope Francis’ penchant for calling people out of the blue is already the stuff of legend, and the “cold call pope” was back at it again recently, stunning a sick Italian seminarian with a call to promise prayers and to urge him not to lose hope. The call to Antonio Esposito came on March 18 at 4:00 p.m., according to the regional Italian newspaper Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno. According to the report, Esposito answered his phone and was astonished... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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