Some time last week, when I was still working outside my apartment, I came home to find my husband drinking a moscow mule at his computer while a crowd of familiar faces smiled back on the screen. “We’re doing on-Nomi,” he explained, “It’s Japanese for drinking online with your friends.” I picked the wrong Lent to give up alcohol, I thought. “How can I tell them how I’m feeling,” I thought, “when I’m healthy and safe? What right do... Read more
Just last week, I published an article on safe ways to receive Communion during the coronavirus pandemic. The very last item on the list, almost an afterthought, advised Spiritual Communion for anyone who cannot attend Mass. Now Masses in my region, along with many regions around the world, are closed to the public. I knew this was a possibility. I thought I was prepared, spiritually, emotionally, and rationally. I understood the prudent necessity of such a decision. I thought I... Read more
I truly hate to tell you this, but the Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can – and will – transmit the novel coronavirus if it becomes contaminated with said virus. My saying this is not a matter of weak faith or a symptom of doubt in the Real Presence. It’s simply an understanding both of basic science and the teachings of our faith. At this time, it is not safe to receive the Eucharist on... Read more
One of the most common responses to my plays is also the most painful for someone who is trying to create Catholic Art: “I related so much to this story. I’m a former Catholic too!” I am not a former Catholic. I am a practicing Catholic and a playwright working in New York City. I want my work to be accessible to a wide range of people. I also want, more than anything, for it to be Catholic. What is Catholic... Read more
The chapel veil is back. The practice of women covering their heads at mass, which largely disappeared after Vatican II, has experienced a resurgence among traditionally-minded Catholic women, many of whom favor the Latin Mass. Many veil-wearers also desire a return to traditional gender roles and the reversal of important Vatican II doctrinal changes. Many, but not all. I am a progressive Catholic who has grown to love the chapel veil as a personal devotional with profound theological and political... Read more
This time last year, a good friend who is agnostic reached out to see if I had any pointers for a non-Christian who wanted to participate in Lent. I was surprised at first, but on further consideration I realized I shouldn’t be. Concepts such as Dry January and Intermittent Fasting have gained popularity in secular culture. These trends sort of look like Lent, but they’re very much not Lent. My friend, a very insightful and reflective person, perceived that this season was... Read more
Day Jobs are Necessary During my early days in New York, a mentor gave me some invaluable advice: “Having a day job does not take you away from the work of being an artist. Having a day job is part of the work being an artist.” This took an enormous weight off my shoulders. I no longer felt guilt, or like an artistic failure, because I had to do something to support myself. It gave me permission to seek lucrative work that could... Read more
Femina Ferox Femina Ferox is Latin for Fierce Woman. It’s the name I gave to my blog three years ago when I had bold plans to make bold statements about feminism, art, and faith. I had a whole lot of feelings and a whole lot to say. I wrote eleven posts and promptly gave up. Such is the life of a creative: passion gives way to exhaustion which gives way to apathy. Discipline isn’t enough to fuel creation. You need an... Read more
As a practicing Catholic, it is difficult for me to articulate how the past few days since the report on sexual abuse by priests in Pennsylvania has been released. While we’ve known about this evil for over a decade, the fresh betrayal, renewed denial, and continued excuses have ripped open a wound in my heart that was really only beginning to heal. Perhaps this time around, hearing about the atrocities as an adult, it cuts even deeper. If we are... Read more
Pope Francis has issued a public apology for comments made against sexual assault victims during his papal visit to Chile. Former victims strongly assert that Chilean Bishop Juan Barros knew about sexual assault allegations against the infamous abuser Father Fernando Karadima and did nothing. Pope Francis originally called such accusations calumny, a spiritually charged term referring to the sin of spreading false and damning rumors. He also said their accusations were without proof. When I first read about the incident on Twitter, I... Read more
Femina Ferox
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