It has been 4 months since my last confession. After each confession I come out thinking, “I am going to do a monthly confession.” And then a few months go by and here I am. I finally had to schedule “Confession” on my calendar to ensure I would get in there. I decided to read up on the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance/Confession at New Advent. It is good to read what they have to say. Here are a few bullets that... Read more
It seems that Hugo Chavez wants to be president for life. He has proposed large-scale changes to the constitution of Venezuela and is likely to face little formal legislative opposition, as many of his political opponents are boycotting his rule. These developments are worth watching. Read more
Quite frequently at Mass, the prayers of the faithful include petitions for the safety of US armed forces in Iraq. While I have no problem adding my voice to this prayer, and support fully the sentiment, I nonetheless feel a little disturbed by its provincial nature. Should we not be praying for the safety of Iraqi civilians, first and foremost, especially since our Catholic brothers and sisters in Iraq have never had it so bad? Why are we, as a... Read more
Part One – Introduction “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. “O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. All... Read more
“Whenever you have order, your time will multiply and, as a result, you will be able to give more glory to God, working more in his service.” St. Josemaría Escrivá (The Way, 80) I have lived with nuns before and I have also visited monasteries and houses of parish priests as well and they are quite the busy people, but they always managed to have impeccable dwellings. Think about the time it takes you to look for your keys every... Read more
Good news for those of us who live around the Gulf Coast! Enrollment at Catholic universities and schools in areas such as New Orleans and Biloxi, MS has risen significantly since the damage inflicted upon the region by Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Xavier University and Loyola Univeristy, New Orleans are recovering well, as are the numerous diocesan elementary and high schools along the coast. Now, hopefully with a little Providence, Hurricane Dean won’t disturb this positive trend. Read more
Luke 18:18-25, rewritten according to the precepts contained in Centesimus Annus: An official asked Jesus this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God. You know natural law and the commandments that follow from right reason.” And he replied, “All of these I have observed from my youth.” When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left... Read more
There is nothing which, generally speaking, elevates andsustains the human spirit more than the idea of rights. There issomething great and virile in the idea of right which removes fromany request its suppliant character, and places the one whoclaims it on the same level as the one who grants it. But the rightof the poor to obtain society’s help is unique in that instead ofelevating the heart of the man who exercises it, it lowers him. Incountries where legislation does... Read more
The institutional pro-life movement seems remarkably single minded, not on its determination to end the scourge of abortion, but in its tactics. The only legitimate way go achieve this aim, so they say, is to elect politicians who will nominate the kinds of judges that will overturn Roe v. Wade. Checkmate, and we can all go home. But it is not so simple, is it? What is typically left unspoken are the manifold uncertainties that underpin this tactic. Will the... Read more
One of the most inspiring families I know has figured out how to bring God into their home. When I first met this family, I was their 14 year old babysitter. At the time they had two little boys and a little girl on the way. This family prayed the nightly rosary together. They had thrown away their contraception. They made little sacrifices on Fridays. The mom squeezed in Adoration every two weeks. My first impression was that they were... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In