Ave Maria University

This is a terrific article about an amazing place.

Things I Learned Today, Part 4

Bishop Fulton Sheen was from Peoria! I had no idea!

He's buried in New York, and despite reneging on a promise to send the body back for interment at the cathedral in Peoria, the Bishop has decided to move forward with attempts at beatification.

From Father Z...

Here's the Bishop in action.

Blessed are the Peacemakers....

The Peacemakers. Not the Egregiously Stupid. Big difference.

Right to Life March 2011

The biggest non-event in America took place yesterday, as it has for years. Compare and contrast. First up, Ronald Reagan...




And now the current President...

“Today marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, and affirms a fundamental principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. I am committed to protecting this constitutional right."

A First!

A link to the ESPN website on a PSR blog!

"I hate the New York Jets because they don't practice in New York and they don't play in New York. Fireman Ed? Grew up as a Dolphins fan. And J-E-T-S? Really? You're thrilled with yourselves for spelling a four-letter word? Try cheering for Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception."

Fistula!

Here's Pope Pius XII using one.

Things I Learned Today, Part 3

This came up during a discussion on Fr. Z's blog about people who are hyper-allergic to gluten. These people do not take the host; and do not want to share the chalice (I guess for fear of traces of gluten on the rim or something). But they can use a FISTULA!

Yeah, that's what I said...what the heck is a fistula? It's like a straw. The photo is of Pope Paul VI using one - apparently, this is the traditional way that the Pope used to drink from the chalice.

Things I Learned Today, Part 2

For the Blood of Christ, priests may substitute mustum for the wine. Mustum is "grape juice in which fermentation has begun, but has been suspended with the result that its alcohol content does not reach the levels found in most table wines."

Things I Learned Today, Part 1

The host MUST be made of wheat, with enough gluten to "effect the confection of the bread".

Holding Hands during the Our Father, Part 2

A lively discussion over at Sr. Mary Martha's blog....

Blogger's Choice Awards Update

In looking through the nominees for other than Best Religion Blog, I see a pattern that indicates the voting is being "fixed". So don't vote if you don't want to...but check out the blogs I mentioned.

Jesus Was a Refugee

Or so says Pope Benedict. His family was forced to flee to Egypt after the Magi ratted Jesus out (by mistake).

Well, OK. Refugees are different than migrants though. I think refugees are those under direct threat form their government - say, the Christians of the Arab (that is, Muslim) world. If they stay, they will in all likelihood suffer persecution and die. A migrant is someone who leaves for greener grass.

My personal opinion is that they should be treated differently - two lines, with immigrants moving faster.

Just my opinion - and we should be kind and respectful to both...

Reminds me of the time that Hillary Clinton said that Jesus was born in a manger because he was "homeless".

A Shout-Out to Jeanne Brazinski Whacker!

From the blog, Argent by the Tiber.

Ordination for Women

When hordes of protesters raise their voices, how can the Pope ignore them?

Holding Hands during the Our Father

Have you noticed that there are three different ways to pray the Our Father at Mass? Some hold hands. Some raise their arms (reminding me of "Touchdown Jesus"). Others (like me) just say the prayer. Which is correct?

Sister Mary Martha answers the question in her usual non-nonsense way...

"Just the other day, we had a question in the comments section about whether or not it's okay to hold hands during the Our Father during Mass. And no, it's actually not okay. You can't do whatever you want during the Mass. We're not holding hands and we're not doing the wave and we're not breaking into applause during the Consecration of the Host, even if we feel like it. No one is going to come rushing up behind you and hit you with a ruler if you happen to be holding hands with your husband or wife during the Mass. But, we have rules and we'd like you to follow them."

Nuns Just Want to Have Fun

The Dominican Nuns of Summit, New Jersey. I think it's great, but just can NOT imagine Sister Gemma and the others from Our Lady of Sorrows School in Vestal, NY (circa 1965) doing this...

The Poor Clares Explained

Solemn Profession of a Poor Clare Nun from St. Louis Review on Vimeo.

Shocka!

Looks like the "Religion of Peace" is mad at the POP. What did "Pop" Benedict XVI say that was so offensive? This:

"Among the norms prejudicing the right of persons to religious freedom, particular mention must be made of the law against blasphemy in Pakistan: I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law, all the more so because it is clear that it serves as a pretext for acts of injustice and violence against religious minorities."

What Do Pat Robertson and I Have in Common?

The number 700!

It would have been more if I hadn't lost 6 months of posts during the middle of last year...

Feast Day of St. Martin Luther King, Jr?

Um...not so fast. Fr. Z says:

"Holy Church does not permit Masses in honor of a dead person who isn’t a saint or blessed with an cult approved by Holy Catholic Church. It is not permitted to celebrate Mass on honor of a person who has no official cult. As a matter of fact most blesseds can’t even be honored at the altar unless there is permission given for that locale or institute."

"Masses for a dead person mustn’t be reduced to a “celebration of someone’s life”. That is not what Catholics do. During Mass we pray that God will be merciful to them."

At the End of Your Rope?

Time to join the Sisters of St. Benedict! Many times I've thought, "Gee, I am called to the priesthood, but I would have to give up mountain biking so I won't do it." The good Sisters realize there are lots of women who feel the same way about religious orders and their hobbies. Like slacking! I mean slacklining...

Naming Names

Pope Benedict XVI says - be careful how you name your children. AMEN. Although it would have been funny if he had said after being elected, "No, it's spelled Benay'Dct".

I work with 18-22 year-olds every day and have for a long time. I can say (anecdotally) that with few exceptions: the dumber the name, the dumber the student. Just saying.

God bless Cardinal Turkson!

Just when I was feeling dumb, he gets interviewed. I suddenly feel smart!

Why I Am Not A Unitarian

At least I think they're Unitarians...

Graffiti

The defacing of St. Boniface; unfortunately, the American Papist doesn't say in what city this occurred. My reactions are mixed:

1) I wish the person had spelled it "Cathlicks".

2) If "Kill the Mooslims" had been sprayed on a mosque, we would have to get a hand-wringing lecture from Barack Obama about hate crimes.

3) We are bigger than the person who did this. Catholics will not riot; we will not complain about our oppression; we will not lash out in anger. We will pray for the person and hope he he sees the errors of his way and come to Christ. "I gave My back to those who strike Me, and my cheeks to those whose pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6)

Feast of Sts. Paldo, Tato, and Taso - January 11

Three brothers who founded the monastery of San Vincenzo. Why do these guys come to mind?

The Atheist Hymnal

Feast of St. Raymond of Pennafort, January 7

No relation.

A New Governor for New York!

So what's wrong with this picture? The new pro-abortion governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo (who is divorced), sat in the front row of a Catholic church during Mass with his live-in girlfriend (who is also divorced) and then received Communion from Bishop Howard Hubble.

Let's assume that both Andrew and his girlfriend got annulments (not likely, but let's assume). How many mortal sins does that leave? Only THREE! Not so bad, right?

BLASPHEMY!

Or so says Frannie Boyle of the Student Free Press Association. When I read (on several sites) about this ad, I was outraged, too. But after watching it, I think it's just...well, you watch it.

Feast Day of St. Genevieve, January 3

St. Genevieve is the Patroness of Paris. Although she lived a long and productive life, she is best remembered for saving Paris from Attila the Hun. As Attila approached the city, Genevieve convinced Parisians not to flee, but rather pray and fast for God's intercession. And it worked. It had to be the prayers - it sure wasn't the fighting spirit of the French...

Who Is Addison Hart?

An Anglican who converted to Catholicism and is now converting back. He wrote about the reasons, and Father Z. goes all "Jesus and the Moneychangers in the Temple" on him.

One thing I learned - I've got a long way to go in understanding our faith.

Father Barron Says....

Don't be dumb.

Happy New Year!

From the "Religion of Peace"!

The Pope says, "Thanks!"