… In the Shaanxi Province of China, the number of the ordained is far smaller compared to the Catholic population. Sometimes a Father has to hear nearly a thousand confessions. Photo series; Catholicism in China [11 photos] Read more

… I’ve often remarked that I better try and see as much of Europe as possible before it’s too late. I hope I haven’t waited too long. Islamic extremists are stepping up the creation of “no-go” areas in European cities that are off-limits to non-Muslims. Many of the “no-go” zones function as microstates governed by Islamic Sharia law. Host-country authorities effectively have lost control in these areas and in many instances are unable to provide even basic public aid such... Read more

… this weekend I retired my smart phone, the same phone that went all stupid-o in Rome. It was traded in for a regular talk and text phone with a limited call plan. About the only fancy thing it does is takes photos. No games. No emails. No Facebook or Twitter. No fun apps that tell me movie times, how far I walked, or where the nearest ABC store is. And I’m totally lost! I’m the only commuter on the... Read more

… Another guest post, submitted for your pleasure, by The Boy. I have this game I like to play on the computer. It’s called Poptropica. It’s really fun and you can fight villans by becoming a super hero. You can also fight dragons and there are different islands you can visit. One island has a bunch of Greek gods. They have quizzes about the gods and I know them all because I’ve read most of the Percy Jackson books. There... Read more

… to commemorate another year of multiple nominations in a new media award event where I don’t stand a snow ball’s chance in hell of winning, I would like to announce the annual… 2011 CANNONBALL CATHOLIC BLOG AWARDS™©! ta da. It’s an annual tradition here on The Crescat, five years in the making, where I celebrate being completely under appreciated and snubbed in favor of that dude, what’s his name, Peters-something-or-another. It’s a Blog Award for all us under appreciated... Read more

… I’d like to dedicate today’s installment of Shitty Art to Hilary White. I hope this makes you smile. Thanks, Scott T. Read more

… Let’s chat about the use of the term “evangelical”, which here in the Southern US can be perceived as an insult. “Evangelical” is typically associated with charismatic Catholics and their habit of bringing protestant worship practices with them during conversion. To be called an “evangelical” is to be called a “charismatic” and that is something very much frowned upon by “traditional” orthodox, little “o”, loving Catholics. Not to be confused with the term “neo-con” Catholic, which I never understood... Read more

… by Arkady Plastov c. 1945 Read more

… I love all the media coverage of the World Youth Day events. Such joyous and colorful photos, with the exception of those idiotic protesters. What are they protesting anyway; the cost of the whole the event? I don’t suppose they decided to investigate the source of the funds for WYD, which *isn’t* the Spanish government, but private individuals and corporate sponsors. Those protesters, the poor dears, all look so angry. Don’t they know all that unfounded indignation causes deep... Read more

… just look at it! Photo: EWTN Photo: WYD on Flickr Read more