“Be Nice” is too often “Shut Up” – UPDATED

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 2:24 am By Elizabeth Scalia

My column at First Things today looks at the tyranny of those folks I call the “niceniks”: Lately I have noticed in some of my acquaintances the development of a very grave and solemn habit, indeed—a tendency to expect niceness in everyone they meet, particularly in professed Christians. When exposed to someone’s overwhelming urge to snark at politicians, headlines, celebrity-sham-marriages, and overplayed cards of indignation—all sound targets deserving a bit of cathartic scorn—these folks turn their heads away and, with... Read more

Me, as a Nun, and New Cecilias! UPDATED

Last updated on: April 17, 2015 at 4:30 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

I have one of those very ordinary faces that are a dime-a-dozen in a crowd. People are always telling me, “I work with someone who looks exactly like you,” or “I grew up with someone who could be your double; I hated her, come to think of it.” Or, “we had a maid, looked like you.” But this time, I think I may have found a genuine doppelganger, or one who, at least in 1948, looked like me in my... Read more

Bishopalooza! Great American Bishops -UPDATED

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 2:24 am By Elizabeth Scalia

Recently the Gregorian Institute polled some Catholic bloggers and writers, asking them to name the top ten American Catholic Intellectuals, lay or clergy. I was flattered to be among those polled, but never did manage to participate. For the record, the (slightly controversial) Top Ten came in as follows: 1. Orestes Brownson (1803–1876) 2. John Courtney Murray (1904-1967) 3. John Senior (1923-1999) 4. Avery Dulles (1918-2008) 5. James Schall (1928-) 6. Ralph McInerny (1929-2010) 7. Richard John Neuhaus (1936-2009) 8.... Read more

Feds Confiscate the big Fish

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 2:24 am By Elizabeth Scalia

I understand why the rule exists, but really, this story just feels wrong: This fish story may lack the epic qualities of Ernest Hemingway’s 1952 classic“The Old Man and the Sea,” but for New Bedford’s Carlos Rafael, the outcome was about the same. In both cases, despite capturing and bringing home a huge fish, powerful circumstances conspired to deprive the luckless fishermen of a potentially huge reward. Boat owner Rafael, a big player in the local fishing industry, was elated... Read more

Our Annual Thanksgiving Recipe Exchange!

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 4:00 am By Elizabeth Scalia

For the last few years, Ace O’ Spades’ Gabriel Malor and I have made a point of exchanging recipes just before Thanksgiving — it’s a fun little way of finding something new to bring to the table. This year, Gabriel is offering a quick-and-easy recipe for Spiced Nuts, which he declares is something that can be put together “while watching kids!” And my contribution this year: Roasted Parsnips and Apples: To serve 4: 1 1/2 pounds parsnips (about 5 med-sized),... Read more

Little Sisters with Big Grins

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 4:00 am By Elizabeth Scalia

Deacon Greg Kandra recently highlighted a beautiful video of a Our Lady of the Stars, a small community of young men in France with Down Syndrome. Also in France one will find The Little Sisters, Disciples of the Lamb, a monastic community: The Institute of the Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb, a contemplative vocation, offer young girls with Downs the possibilty of realising their religious vocation. This realisation is made possible only by the support of sisters without this... Read more

“It’s mystery, it’s magic, it’s divinity”

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 4:01 am By Elizabeth Scalia

From Deacon Greg, who is some sort of a magician in the way he finds the best, most fascinating or touching videos. This one, blew me away, both for the visual presentation, the use of Vivaldi’s Et in terrra pax hominimus, from the “Gloria” and most particularly due to the straightfowardness and humility of the scientist, Alexander Tsiaras, of The Visible Human Project, who says without fuss or fervor, “these are mathematical models beyond our human comprehension. . .it’s mystery;... Read more

Catholicism: Living Tradition is not Trendy

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 4:01 am By Elizabeth Scalia

We’ve been talking about Robert Barron’s Catholicism — both the book and the DVD series — for for months, and I am surprised that with all of my reading, I had missed Maurice Timothy Reidy’s review at America magazine in which Reidy — while liking a great deal about the series — complained that the thing does not adequately embrace the now: It is wonderful to contemplate that we share a faith with the men who crafted the rose windows... Read more

What’s Patheos? Where did it come from?

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 4:01 am By Elizabeth Scalia

Not too long ago, I did a radio show and the host struggled with the name of Patheos, “how do you pronounce, it; what does it mean? He asked.” It’s PATH-eeohs. It’s a portmanteau: PATH and THEOS — think of it as Path-to-God. And the company’s origins make for very interesting reading in the Denver Westward News: In 1989, U.S. Marine Leo Brunnick was in the jungle, training a group of Thai Royal Marines. He gestured to the top of... Read more

A Travel Mug Coffee Press!

Last updated on: March 4, 2017 at 4:01 am By Elizabeth Scalia

When I announced the good news the other day — no, not that Good News, but the other good news that assists in our salvation, the re-emergence of Jingle Bell Java into our universe — someone noticed that I neglected to include my usual rave for Mystic Monk Hazelnut Coffee. They wondered if I’d soured on it. Good heavens, no! The Hazelnut (and the Rum Pecan) are late-night decaf staples around here — great relaxants at the end of a... Read more