I don’t like to pray. Let me explain. Every morning I drink my 2 cups of coffee with three tablespoons of flavored creamer. The only time I missed my coffee was during my two pregnancies. I also wake up and work out every morning for 40 minutes. When debate season begins, I make it to 98% of the practices and the tournaments. I also make it to my English tutor sessions. Yet, when it comes to prayer, my track record... Read more
There are political and religious prisoners in Cuba who deserve much more attention than they receive. These are not criminals, and they have been denied due process. Their stories are deeply depressing and awe-inspiring. Please take a moment to remember and pray for those who are paying the price not just for opposing Castro’s nearly half century dictatorship, but for living a life of Christian service. Here are two: Oscar Biscet is a hero by any measure, and Luis Fernandez,... Read more
Too much hoopla, the Catholics Against Rudy site has been launched. But why exactly are they against Rudy? The first thing I noted is that their opposition to the candidacy of Giuliani went far beyond his well-known views on abortion. If you click on the “issues” you will find the following list: AbortionEmbryonic Stem Cell ResearchEuthanasiaOn Catholic politicians and votersSame-Sex Marriage That’s four issues in total (the fourth on the list is not really an issue in itself). My first... Read more
Generally speaking, all attempts to deprive the majority or even a substantial group of society its freedom, of its ability to participate creatively in social life, and to transform all or part of society into the dead tool of a small group of rulers lead, on the one hand, to the greatest weakening of society as a whole, to a kind of social atonia which leaves unused the reserve forces contained in free activity, and, on the other hand, to... Read more
Now that the MP has arrived, there is a small matter that is going to come up in this country. Who is your pastor? I will let actual Canonists offer answers to that question, but this is the one question that will be asked in various forms in many places. The U.S. doesn’t really have parishes. Yes, there are actual parishes (numerous in fact, but growing smaller by the day) in the U.S. Being largely an immigrant people however, most... Read more
I know she’s too modest to tout such an impressive award, so I am going to gloat for her. Our own Katerina has been awarded the prestigious Rockin‘ Girl Blogger Award by The Ironic Catholic! Ironic Catholic writes of Katerina: “She says things no one else does, and I, for one, appreciate that. Plus she’s responsible for the awesome “Why am I Catholic?” video.“ Congratulations, Katerina! We’re quite proud of you! Read more
Before Vatican Council II, there were many notable examples of inculturation which were practiced by Roman Catholic priests. While they led to many profound debates about such practices, especially about the extent the liturgy could be inculturated, there was no doubt that some form of inculturation were permissible and indeed beneficial, especially when employed by missionary-priests. Jesuits were famous for such practices from India to the Americas. This meant, of course, that there was no uniform use of the Tridentine... Read more
The USCCB has an unofficial translation of Pope Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum, and the accompanying explanatory letter to bishops, as well as a Q&A section on the Motu Proprio. You can read all three here. What an incredibly pastoral and sensitive Pope have we! Read more
If Grave of the Fireflies is one of the best movies about war, Studio Ghibli, the animation studio which made it, also created one of the greatest films about mediation in Princess Mononoke. Like Grave, Mononoke is an animated feature, but it probably would not be suitable for little kids. It’s a violent film, but the violence serves a great purpose in the story. The violence is important and if it were not in the film, much of its message... Read more
Humble Thoughts on the FamilyIt is Sweet By SiaEdited with Comments by Ressourcement[Editor’s Comments: The following thoughts are those of Sia, my wife and mother to my two little boys—Aidan and Eli. Both of us being (irregular) contributors to Vox Nova, I have recently been discouraged by the one-sidedness of the Blog. Not necessarily with any particular political “bend” some feel that it has, but more with regard to the redundancy of its topics, its “headiness” and its inability to... Read more
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