Passionate and provocative words from Thomas Peters, who throws down the gauntlet: If your love for the Extraordinary Form leads you to criticize your fellow Catholics who prefer the Novus Ordo instead of leading you to a more perfect life of charity, you’re doing it wrong. If you’ve spent more time reading articles claiming that Pope Francis has condemned capitalism in his latest exhortation instead of actually reading what he wrote, you’re doing it wrong. And if you spend more... Read more
From Catholic Culture: The leaders of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) are in schism, and remain suspended from the sacraments, says the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Archbishop Gerhard Müller said that although Pope Benedict XVI lifted the canonical excommunication of SSPX prelates, they remain suspended from the sacraments because “by their schism they have broken away from communion with the Church.” Archbishop... Read more
One of those blessings remains this classic moment from “White Christmas.” It’s one of my favorite Christmas songs—and, in fact, it has nothing to do with Christmas. But it has everything to do with the spirit of this season, and the gifts we are given (and give) every day. Thank you, Irving. Read more
We all know someone for whom the holidays are not times of cheer. Fr. Austin Fleming has composed this for them and is encouraging people to share it with those who are hurting. +++ Dear God, There is an empty chair near the tree, an ache in our hearts and tears on our faces. We may try to shield one another from the grief we bear but we cannot hide it from you. We pray for (names) whose presence we miss... Read more
Details from Daniel Burke at CNN: As Pope Francis prepares to celebrate his first Christmas at the Vatican, Americans’ opinions of the pontiff appear to be as high as the dome on St. Peter’s Basilica, according to a new survey. A CNN/ORC International poll released Tuesday found that 88% of American Catholics approve of how Francis is handling his role as head of the 1.2 billion-member church. The popular pontiff has also made a positive impression among Americans in general:... Read more
The two living Catholics who carry the title “Pope” have swapped Christmas greetings. Details: Pope Francis has visited his predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, to exchange Christmas greetings. Photos released by the Vatican newspaper show the two men, dressed in identical white robes save for Francis’ cape, chatting in a sitting room inside Benedict’s retirement home during the visit Monday. They also prayed together in the adjoining chapel. Benedict was looking well, using a cane for support while they stood... Read more
Tonight, I stopped by the rectory to meet a family about a baptism. After my meeting, I ran into our parish administrator. “Hey, want to see the church before you go?,” he said, in that excited way that meant, “You have to see the church before you go.” Sure, I said. We went down the hall and into the darkened sacristy and he flicked on the lights. I made my way into the church. And this is what I saw.... Read more
This popped up on my Facebook feed this morning. Read more
Classic moments from a classic episode, below. Judging from what I see on the Interwebs, I think some people got an early start on the Airing of Grievances this year… Read more
Unsurprisingly, it has a decidedly Franciscan (as in the pope) approach. From those crackerjack journos at CNS: The Vatican’s Nativity scene will be unveiled tomorrow evening, but Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Naples and the artists who created the scene gave a sneak preview to journalists today. Well, we were able to see most of it. The Baby Jesus has been tightly swaddled — from head to toe — with a white sheet. The formal unveiling ceremony will be at 4:30... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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