Have You Prayed for Life and Liberty?

Last updated on: October 17, 2012 at 2:32 pm By Kathryn Jean Lopez

There has been a Fortnight for Freedom, a Novena, and now another Rosary novena for human life and religious liberty from Catholics nationwide, praying for our election and the country’s future. Civic participation is a moral responsibility. 40 Days of Life is an ecumenical group that prays that innocent human life might be better protected by Americans, outside of abortion clinics (and have seen some fruits of their prayer witness). More than midway through the current 40-day campaign that ends... Read more

I am Not Worthy

Last updated on: October 14, 2012 at 9:32 am By Kathryn Jean Lopez

Rome — “During this Year of Faith may we, like the man in today’s Gospel, have the courage to ask the Lord what more can we do, especially for the poor, the lonely, the sick and the suffering, so as to be witnesses and heirs to the eternal life God promises,” Pope Benedict XVI prayed in his Angelus message today. Looking away, avoiding loving one another is not Christian. In the gospel today we are reminded that “All things are... Read more

Do You Know about the Year of Faith?

Last updated on: October 9, 2012 at 7:19 pm By Kathryn Jean Lopez

As I write, a B16-designated Year of Faith begins in 1 Day, 19 hours and 40-some minutes according to the official countdown clock. At the crypt church at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., at a Monday-morning Mass, one priest suggested this prayer for Thursday and beyond: Lord God, if there is anything you want to teach me about how to live my live, let me be open to it. Sounds about right! And... Read more

A Global Vision of Stewardship

Last updated on: October 8, 2012 at 3:21 pm By Kathryn Jean Lopez

Anyone listening to Mitt Romney today speaking at the Virginia Military Institute heard a moral vision that reminds us why it is so important to keep careful watch over our basic liberties at home as well: I know many Americans are asking a different question: “Why us?” I know many Americans are asking whether our country today—with our ailing economy, and our massive debt, and after 11 years at war—is still capable of leading. I believe that if America does... Read more

President Obama Sends a Bible Publisher to Court

Last updated on: October 11, 2012 at 12:37 pm By Kathryn Jean Lopez

There are currently over 30 legal cases filed against the Department of Health and Human Services on account of its abortion-drug, sterilization, contraception mandate, representing almost 100 plaintiffs whose religious-freedom has been attacked by the introduction of the Obamacare regulation. The mandate was issued after the president’s assurance both that conscience would be respected and abortion would have nothing to do with his health-care legislation. You’ll recall he made that conscience claim at the University of Notre Dame; the University... Read more

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: The New Evangelization Remake

Last updated on: October 11, 2012 at 11:54 am By Kathryn Jean Lopez

Yesterday afternoon, while helping me pick out an outfit for an upcoming out-of-the-ordinary event, a friend pointed out that my earrings looked a lot like rosary beads. Go figure — the one item I own from Tiffany’s turns out to be a subtle reminder of who we are: a pilgrim people with our eyes toward Heaven. And the Rosary is a tool and school toward our destination. Praying with the Mother of our Lord incarnate, we can better make progress,... Read more

Like This?

Last updated on: October 6, 2012 at 11:56 am By Kathryn Jean Lopez

I speak to my old friends at the Vatican Radio English section (a lot of young lay family folks) quite often during election seasons, especially, providing some commentary on the scene from here. They have a new Facebook page you might like if you’re looking for unfiltered news from Rome. Read more

Conscience Unites!

Last updated on: October 7, 2012 at 8:36 am By Kathryn Jean Lopez

Late last night on National Review Online‘s “The Corner,” my friend and colleague and bright intellectual light of our day, Ramesh Ponnuru, pointed to an opinion piece by former congresswoman Nancy Johnson. In an election year where accusations of a “war on women” have drowned out common-sense defenses of our first freedom, what a welcome sight, to see a liberal, “pro-choice,” Republican defend our right to real religious freedom. She writes: The Affordable Care Act for the first time in... Read more

Defend Religious Freedom Today

Last updated on: October 6, 2012 at 9:22 am By Kathryn Jean Lopez

Do it with confidence that it’s our duty and it is even a winning issue. Check it out. Read more

Joy Is Demanding?

Last updated on: October 8, 2012 at 3:45 pm By Kathryn Jean Lopez

It is hard not notice that we sometimes talk about joy only when it is convenient to. At obvious reasons to be happy: That someone is getting married. That a child is born. But how the heck to be joyful when injustice engulfs and pain is palpable? In an Angelus message during a visit to Australia in 1986, Blessed John Paul II helps: We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of... Read more