To protect his identity, we’ll call him Frank. Though we’ve had many over the years, I distinctly remember one particular conversation with Frank. He was as happy, peaceful, and self-confident as I’d ever seen him. The reason: he had discovered Buddhism. We talked for hours as he recounted the peace he found in practicing meditation [...]
Pope Francis, on the first full day of his papacy, prayed at the tomb of Pope St. Pius V. I do not think that was coincidental. In fact, I believe that His Holiness intends to be remembered as most similar to Pius V. There are five ways in which I see this is already evident: [...]
After repeatedly Googling the name “Bergoglio” on the day of the Papal election, I was disappointed to find hardly any substantial information on our new Pope, besides that he rode the bus to work, was from Argentina, and that everyone seemed surprised at his election in the first place. Though we read with interest the [...]
Lent is a time I think to reflect on beauty. True beauty is something that uplifts the soul. It draws us to God. As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once said about art, “The work of art is the fruit of human creativity, which questions the visible reality, trying to discover its deep meaning and to communicate [...]
To pursue, or to be pursued? That is the question. ‘Tis nobler in the mind to date until your breath is taken, or heart is broken… Dating – in the man-meets-woman, man-asks-woman-out way**- may sound outdated to those more liberated in their feelings. Instead, people get to know each other by hanging out and never [...]
It must be March. The time of year when the weather changes from spring to winter and back again in a matter of hours – time to prepare for Easter with a new dedication to our Lenten sacrifices, and try not to dread the time change. Best of all it is time to get back [...]
Imagine the great good that could be done if, instead of considering life less valuable or without meaning because of deteriorating health or decreased physical mobility, we would all accept the sufferings that befall us and offer that which we endure to our crucified Lord for the salvation of souls.
Theres been a quote of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s that I’ve seen circulating in social media in recent weeks: “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort; you were made for greatness.” Comfort (or comfortability, or being comfortable) is a sense of physical or psychological ease, often characterized as a lack [...]
I miss the Pope. I know he’s still around, hopefully sitting in an easy chair and probably praying for the upcoming conclave. I’ve pretty much had a lump in my throat since he announced he was leaving. Anything else I was going to post today seems not as important, and I realized that I want [...]
The lot falls upon me to post in this website today, February 28, 2013, the last day of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate. It is also my lot to have lived through the start of his pontificate, and now, it shall be my lot to live through the conclave to elect his next successor. Twice I [...]
When I first heard that Pope Benedict XVI was resigning, I was in shock. My instant reaction was: “That’s impossible!” I knew Popes had resigned before; I knew it was canonically possible; I just did not expect it. I dug out my Code of Canon Law, looked up “resignation,” and read this canon: “If [...]
“Evil draws its power from indecision and concern for what other people think.” ―Pope Benedict XVI The fear of peoples’ opinions can be deadly. It can lead to willing ignorance of the Gospel, and unwillingness to spread it. Let me tell you the truth: Ignorance is not bliss. Closing your eyes won’t free you from [...]
My first real encounter with Pope Benedict XVI was in the middle of a rainy, muddy field in Germany at World Youth Day a few months after his election. Like most young Catholics, I found incredible solace in the fatherly love with which John Paul II carried out his ministry and was more than a [...]
When I started flight school in the fall of 2007 and, that same week, began working as the youth minister at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Duluth, MN, two things were true about me: I had never touched the controls of a plane and I wasn’t Catholic. While I’m sure that’s usually the case in flight training, [...]
I’m not going to lie and say it’s easy accepting that the Pope will soon be gone. I’ve long admired him, because he was Pope during the whole time I’ve been Catholic. My baptism story is clearer to me than the conclave that happened right after. I was 11 going to bed right before Easter [...]
Ask any Catholic about “Pope Benedict’s book” and the answer you’ll likely get is “Jesus of Nazareth.” But as great as that book is, the reality of the situation is that Pope Benedict is a prolific writer, authoring about 60 or so other books. I have a feeling that we will be exploring the richness [...]
On Ash Wednesday, in the Gospel of the day, Jesus tells us: “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. ” (Mt 6:6 ). It is not enough to go into our room and pray; we also need to shut the door. I think these [...]
“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”–Pope Benedict XVI, February 11, 2013 After the shock wore off about hearing the resignation of the Pope, I had to look [...]
The Warrior Catholic Show is an online Catholic talk show that discusses politics, religion, and anything else the host finds interesting. The Warrior Catholic Show is a proud member of Conservative Nation Radio, and can be found at this link. http://www.conservativenationradio.org The Warrior Catholic Show broadcasts live every Wednesday evening from 7 PM – [...]
I’m one of the young Catholics who, thanks to Pope Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum, were able to attend a Traditional Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the first time. I distinctly remember that Sunday, how I dressed up and wore high heeled shoes despite the long commute from my house and the church. I [...]
Since hearing the shocking news of Pope Benedict’s resignation I, along with millions of others, have been flooded with mixed emotions. Sadness, fear, hope, and even excitement at some of the leading contenders to replace him. Mostly, though, I feel a sense of loss. As a “JPII baby”, I have been blessed with a deep [...]
Call me crazy, but there is a part of me that is happy that our beloved Pope Benedict XVI is retiring. I’ve been a huge fan of his leadership, his wonderful and profound writings, and his great wisdom in leading the Catholic Church. As I came to work in the Church he led it with [...]
There are as many paths to God as there are people, said Pope Benedict XVI in his 1999 interview with German journalist Peter Seewald. That being said, the then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger continued, all paths lead to Christ Jesus, who is the way, the Truth, and the light. When living out one’s vocation, one must think of [...]
Update: After receiving some fraternal counsel on this post, I have decided to remove its content and consider contacting my bishop directly with the criticisms I made (albeit anonymously) of a particular parish in our diocese. Thanks for understanding.
Q. How do you pronounce “ignitum”? A. Well, you have some options. The Romans would have said ig-NEE-toom. In church, we’d say “in-YEE-toom.”
Why?
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