2015-01-19T08:00:05-05:00

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 8:00 am   By

Chris Haw’s journey—from lukewarm Catholicism, into earnest Evangelicalism, and finally to a renewed and vigorous Catholic faith—is a familiar one. Like Chris, I too was raised in a Catholic home but was drawn away from the Catholic faith in early adulthood.  Peer pressure, lack of understanding, personal pride, and the tumultuous ‘60s came together in a perfect storm of  dissent—and for a number of years, I scarcely looked back at the 2,000-year-old tradition I’d left behind. When I did experience... Read more

2016-09-30T15:58:30-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm   By

If there’s one thing you see a lot of in Rome, it’s churches.  Turn the corner on any street, and within a block you’re likely to see the façade of an ancient Catholic church.  You hear a lot about the more famous ones (the major basilicas, the Gesu, the Santa Maria sopra Minerva)—but there are over 900 churches in the city, most of them Catholic. December 2 is the feast of St. Bibiana, virgin and martyr—I thought I’d share a... Read more

2016-09-30T15:58:30-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm   By

Since the 14th century, the Pontifical Swiss Guards have protected the Pope and have stood guard at the boundaries of the Vatican City State.  In their boldly striped uniforms (reportedly designed by Michelangelo), their ceremonial halberds at their sides, they are a colorful symbol of the Vatican. I’ve seen the Swiss Guards standing at attention beside the Vatican’s Petriano entrance and at the great bronze doors of the Apostolic Palace.  I know of their respect and deep affection for the... Read more

2015-01-19T08:01:20-05:00

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 8:01 am   By

When you wake up tomorrow morning, the Catholic Church will have taken another bold step into the era of new media. That’s because Pope Benedict XVI’s new Twitter account will be activated—so you’ll be able to “follow” the Pope and receive brief, up-to-the-minute news from the Vatican in real time. At a press conference scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Rome time (that’s 5:30 a.m. Eastern Time here in the U.S.), the Pope’s Twitter account will be officially launched at a press... Read more

2016-09-30T15:58:30-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm   By

During the Christmas season, it’s so easy to be drawn into the shopping frenzy.  It’s easy to become consumed with the search for “just the right gift” or to spend more than you can afford, in order to prove… what? Last year in “Seasons Greedy”, I reflected on the rampant consumerism which drives us to spend and shop, rather than simply baking cookies and playing board games with the people we love. This year, my issue is Time—finding time to... Read more

2015-01-24T14:43:23-05:00

Last updated on: January 24, 2015 at 2:43 pm   By

Last year for Advent, I was given a beautiful little book of reflections from the Sisters, Immaculate Heart of Mary from Scranton, Pennsylvania.   Called “Reach Out,” the book is a compilation of poignant and thought-provoking meditations for each day of the Advent and Christmas season. From time to time during the next few weeks, I plan to share a few of their stories.  If you’d like to read the rest, may I suggest that you consider purchasing “Reach Out” as... Read more

2016-09-30T15:58:31-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm   By

1640 A.D.:  Virtually all women in China bind their feet to attract a suitor. The painful practice was outlawed by the Qing Dynasty in 1902, but remained common until 1949, when the Communists assumed power and foot binding was finally ended.  The practice has been decried by modern-day feminists as a classic example of societal oppression of women. THIS IS BAD:  2012 A.D.: Women in U.S. have toes amputated to fit into excruciating high heeled shoes. THIS IS ALSO BAD.... Read more

2015-01-24T14:45:11-05:00

Last updated on: January 24, 2015 at 2:45 pm   By

Do you remember the silly children’s song about the old lady who swallowed the fly?  The poor, misguided woman tried again and again to rid herself of her problem, by swallowing bigger and bigger things—a spider, a bird, a cat, a dog, a goat, a cow, and finally a horse—and she’s dead, of course! The law of unintended consequences, popularized in the 20th century by American sociologist Robert Merton, is like that.  Someone does something, no doubt with the best... Read more

2015-01-15T07:06:13-05:00

Last updated on: January 15, 2015 at 7:06 am   By

Have you ever heard of the Milk Grotto? Well, I sure hadn’t, until last year.  The Milk Grotto (officially Magharet Sitti Mariam, “Grotto of the Lady Mary”) is a peaceful grotto located just a few minutes away from Bethlehem’s Manger Square. According to tradition, the Holy Family took refuge in the Milk Grotto during Herod’s Slaughter of the Innocents, before their flight into Egypt.  There in the grotto, Mary nursed the newborn Jesus; and while she was nursing, a drop... Read more

2016-09-30T15:58:31-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm   By

Christ Jesus, I acknowledge You King of the universe. All that has been created has been made for You. Make full use of Your rights over me. I renew the promises I made in Baptism, when I renounced Satan and all his pomps and works, and I promise to live a good Christian life and to do all in my power to procure the triumph of the rights of God and Your Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer you my efforts... Read more

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