On Pentecost Sunday nine years ago, I saw thousands of beautiful red rose petals gently fall from the enormous oculus of the Roman Pantheon. A group of fire fighters scaled the oldest building in the world still in regular use, and made these petals fall down as a gentle rain over the faithful after the final blessing of Mass. It was appropriate for fire fighters to do this, Pentecost is their feast day. This spectacular and little known annual tradition... Read more
Years ago I came across this quote: “I think it is safe to say that while the South is hardly Christ-centered, it is most certainly Christ-haunted.” Having been raised in the American South (though not born here), and being a priest in the Deep South, these words often come to mind. The southern Catholic author Flannery O’Connor spoke these words decades ago. If I had lived ninety years ago, Flannery would have been my parishioner and neighbor. She grew up... Read more
El último documento publicado por el Papa Francisco describe una trayectoria por la cual una infinidad de fieles han transitado: el camino de la santidad. El Papa inicia su Exhortación Apostólica citando las bienaventuranzas de las cuales el documento toma su nombre, “Gaudete et Exultate, Alegraos y Regocijaos”. En ellas, enseña el Papa, se encuentra lo que constituye la santidad. “Las Bienaventuranzas son como el carnet de identidad del cristiano,” escribe Francisco. Estas enseñanzas desafiantes y directas de Jesús describen... Read more
The latest document written by Pope Francis describes a century-old path walked by countless of faithful Christians before us: the path of holiness. He begins the Apostolic Exhortation quoting the Beatitudes which give the document its name, “Gaudete et Exultate – Rejoice and be glad.” In them, he argues, you find what constitutes holiness. “The Beatitudes are like a Christian’s identity card,” he writes. These challenging and direct instructions from Jesus describe what it means to be a faithful Christian.... Read more
The ancient Christian communities of Syria have been almost decimated during the past five years due to attacks from rebel groups operating in Syria, both “moderate” ones funded by the United States and extreme ones opposed by the United States like ISIS. The aim of all rebel groups is to depose Assad. In an internal conflict where there is no clear “good guy” or “bad guy” but rather everyone operates in shades of gray, we as a nation must be... Read more
One of the most repeated phrases in the Bible is “have no fear” or “do not be afraid.” We were not created to live in fear, and this phrase serves as a reminder from God of that fact. From when God called Abram, to the Archangel Gabriel announcing the good news to Mary, God has made it clear we should not be afraid. Pope John Paul II’s iconic inaugural Mass in 1978 challenged the faithful not to be afraid: “Do... Read more
I wrote this article six years ago, I share it again after watching CNN’s latest episode on the Papacy which dealt with Pope Pius XII and World War II. Johannes de Jong, Archbishop of Utrecht, the Netherlands, ordered all Catholic parishes in his country to read a pastoral letter on Sunday July 26, 1942 during Mass condemning the Nazi treatment of the Jewish people. The pastoral letter included a transcript of the telegram he had previously sent to Nazi authorities... Read more
“Aquél que es devoto y amante de Dios, que disfrute de esta magnífica y brillante fiesta. Aquél que es un siervo agradecido, que entre alegremente en el gozo del Señor. Aquél que está cansado en ayuno que reciba ahora el denario de recompensa”. El gran predicador San Juan Crisóstomo pronunció estas palabras en Constantinopla hace quince siglos convocando al pueblo a la celebración de la Pascua. Durante estos días millones de cristianos a lo largo del mundo recordamos y revivimos... Read more
“Let all the pious and all lovers of God rejoice in the splendor of this feast; let the wise servants blissfully enter into the joy of their Lord; let those who have borne the burden of Lent now receive their pay.” The renowned preacher Saint John Chrysostom spoke these words in fifth century Constantinople, calling all the faithful to join in the celebration of Easter. During these days the victory of Christ over sin and death is recalled and relived... Read more
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An Irreverent Gala – A Catholic Response
All of a sudden, pictures of very odd dresses began to appear on my Facebook feed. One woman appeared to be wearing a miter, but I did not know what to make of it. After some quick investigating, I learned that the Met is opening an exhibit named “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” A gala was held where famous people wore some of the dresses of the exhibit. As I kept reading and looking, I learned this was... Read more