… I have lost count how many times I’ve set out to read Story of a Soul. I just can not make it past the sugary language and flowery prose. It’s a shame really; I know there is some amazingly profound spiritual insight to be had within those pages… two chapters in and I’m in a diabetic coma. I guess I will have to wait for the publication of an insulin injected edition. Read more

Founding Fathers Motivational Posters by the Art of Manliness Blog. Read more

… or stupid things that amuse me. It’s wedding season folks, and you know what that means. Deriving a little guilty pleasure from watching the non-Catholic wedding guests fumble through mass trying to decide whether they should sit, stand or kneel. I know. How non-inclusive of me. It’s a burden being easily amused. Read more

… I’ve heard rumors of a time once when penance was given to suit the severity of the sin. The more grave the sin the stern the consequences. I know there are still priests out there who ascribe to this formula; however, they are not the majority. At least from my experience. Without getting into the personal nature of my sins and transgressions, let’s just say there are times when I feel like short of murdering some one I will... Read more

TROPARION (TONE 4)O Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, in spite of our eagerness to render you due honor, we fall short when singing your praise. Your glorious birth saved your mother from the shame of barrenness, returned to your father the power of speech, and proclaimed to the world the Incarnation of the Son of God. KONTAKION (TONE 3)The woman who had been barren becomes fertile and gives birth today to the Forerunner of Christ. He is... Read more

… or Papist pyromaniacs. Really, any excuse for Catholics to play with fire. In Brazi on St. John’s Eve families light bonfires and set off fireworks, pop caps and fire crackers and generally just blow stuff up. Or something to that effect. What do I know, I’m Puerto Rican. We just drink blue agave tequilla and dance on feasts days. Fire is just one more thing that makes us culturally cooler than our pagan* counterparts. The Holy Spirit is represented... Read more

… Padre Pio and ladies in mantillas. Read more

… during blogs darker period I was quick with a sharp edged retort and even quicker to pass judgment. Then one day I decided to no longer fan the flames of gossip, calumny and slander. I’m not in the scandal business anymore. We claim we are doing a service for the Church, denouncing heretics and upholding canonical law like some self appointed pontiff. In reality prayer is the only proven beneficial service we can provide for the Church. With that... Read more

.. and no matter how exuberant one may feel while being carried up so high, let us remember that the lightest of these arrows still has a heavy iron head. High as it may fly, therefore, it inevitably has to come down and hit the ground. And sometimes it lands in a not very clean place.” Read more

… Preparation H for under eye puffiness. For the love of all that is holy, don’t try this one at home. Ever. It will get in your eyes and burn like a motha. I came into work this morning looking like I was maced. Read more