A Spiritual Anti-venin for Catholic Battlers

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

Oh, boy. I’m still trying to put some thoughts together concerning Pope Francis’ profoundly good, profoundly Catholic, profoundly touching interview, released yesterday. But as I do that, here’s something for all of us to chew on, particularly those who are fretting that “this is the end of everything Catholic!” and those who are sneering that weird “nyahnyahnyah…” that I don’t even understand. This is for all who are convinced that the church can’t be righted until “those people” that other... Read more

Pope Francis’ Wide-Ranging Interview with America – UPDATED

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

America Magazine has just posted 12,000 word profile and interview of Pope Francis, written by the wonderful Antonio Spadaro, S.J. (a beloved friend) and covering a broad range of issues: The setting is simple, austere. The workspace occupied by the desk is small. I am impressed not only by the simplicity of the furniture, but also by the objects in the room. There are only a few. These include an icon of St. Francis, a statue of Our Lady of... Read more

Are we making an idol of the pope who warns against them? UPDATED

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

I can’t think of modern pope who has so explicitly, and so frequently, warned us against the creation of idols; he mentioned idolatry early-and-often in his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, and has exhorted against succumbing to it so frequently that the joke around here is: he’s in a mind meld with Scalia. And of course, the other joke is this: Even when the crowds cheer him at his audiences, Francis reminds them, “cheer for Jesus, not for me” And yet,... Read more

I’ll See You in DC!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

Oh, you all know how much I hate to travel, but when I got an invitation from the Catholic Information Center to come and talk about Strange Gods and do a little wine-and-cheesing, and book signing (hmmmm…I wonder how those things go together…I suspect…dangerously!) I couldn’t say no. It starts at 6PM, so if you’re around, stop by. I think the schedule is: drinking wine, me talking…more drinking wine. If you can’t make it, though, I’d surely appreciate some prayers... Read more

A “Priesthood” Disingenuous, Thoughtless and Vain UPDATED

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

“I am Long Island’s first female priest!” Deacon Greg has the story, from Newsday (while Tom has the impatient snark): A Sag Harbor grandmother says she has become the first Long Island woman to be ordained as a priest in a group that seeks equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church. Eda Lorello, a longtime church worker, said she was ordained during a service in Wellesley, Mass., on Aug. 10 organized by Roman Catholic Womenpriests, an advocacy group that... Read more

As Sunset draws nighe for Yom Kippur

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

To my Jewish friends who are preparing for Yom Kippur, this day of solemn atonement, I say g’mar chatimah tova. Read more

Comrade is “Official” Journalist? Certified, Da or Nyet?

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

I find it increasingly difficult to look away from a Nancy Pelosi presser, less because of what she says, but for how she says it. Her shuddering gestures and stammering cadences remind me of Judy Garland (and, lately, her daughter, Liza) gassing away in the moment and then smiling broadly at the audience when a sentence is finally completed. It’s unnerving; it’s discomfiting and — when coupled with her astonishing willingness to say almost anything in order to sustain and... Read more

Remembering 9/11: Office of the Dead; #Wherewereyou

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

From a couple of years ago, a podcast I made praying the Office of the Dead for the victims of 9/11 and all who die by means of terrorism. Over at Twitter, there is a hashtag: #Wherewereyou Where was I? My husband was in the air, on his way to Atlanta, and in those first awful minutes when we didn’t know what planes were where…awful. When we learned which flights were involved I called the kids schools and asked them... Read more

A Word a Day and Other Things from Anthony Esolen

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

As the air begins to turn a little chill at night, and the dew lies a little longer in the morning, let us celebrate Autumn’s near-arrival with the announcement of a new arrival here at our Catholic channel, where we debut The Word of the Day, operated by one of our favorite writers, thinkers and educators, Professor Anthony Esolen. The impetus for the blog came from watching Esolen share his wonderful, often riotous, always entertaining lessons in grammar and English... Read more

Jii! Jii! Jii! A lovable cigarette lighter!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 12:28 am By Elizabeth Scalia

I’m done writing about what’s going on in the world, anymore. I can’t do anything about it but pray, and my email is backed-up into an awful place, so while I go do combat with it, here a commercial that is delightfully all wrong, and kind of charming and just full of “screw it all, let’s distract ourselves.” I have to think Joseph Susanka will love this. It’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen. It seems…really drug-fueled. Reminds... Read more