In the magnificent book Purgatory by Father F. X. Schouppe, S.J., the author relates a narrative first told a Father Nieremberg, who Father Schouppe records, passed away “in the odor of sanctity” in 1658. A Vision The narrative begins on the Feast of All Saints. While preparing her soul for Holy Mass, a pious young … Read more
October 13 marks the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, the culmination of Our Lady’s apparitions to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. This great miracle, witnessed by more than 70,000 people, was the first time since the Resurrection of Our Lord that God performed a public miracle that was announced beforehand … Read more
In his new book, Hope: The Autobiography, Pope Francis repeats facts about his life and family and makes doctrinal statements against traditional Church teaching. Don’t Sins of the Flesh Matter? Speaking about homosexuality, Pope Francis says that it is not a crime but “a human fact” and “God the Father loves them with the same … Read more
On December 24, Pope Francis inaugurated the Holy Year 2025 by opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Year is a jubilee held every 25 years in which the Church grants plenary indulgences to visitors of the four Roman patriarchal basilicas (Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, and the basilicas of St. Peter’s, … Read more
After the widespread negative repercussions about Fiducia supplicans, with entire episcopates refusing to bless “homosexual couples” and “irregular couples,”1 the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has published a new document, also with the pope’s approval: “Dignitas Infinita,” the Declaration on Human Dignity (which we will refer to as DI).2 A Traditional Document? Unlike … Read more
Amid the worst crisis in the Church’s history, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published the December 18 Declaration Fiducia Supplicans (FS), authorizing priests to bless adulterous and homosexual relationships. There followed a Clarification confirming what the declaration said. Both statements favor adulterous couples and homosexual pairs at a time when civil laws … Read more
Pope Francis has inaugurated a new kind of magisterium—media interviews. Amid relaxed conversations with journalists, he addresses complex doctrinal topics that require precision and clarity. “Talismanic Words” Journalists pick through his confusing expressions looking for soundbites to turn into headlines for their media outlets and then spread them worldwide. One could call these slogans “talismanic … Read more
As the midterms fade away, most conservatives are left feeling uneasy about the results. The pundits and media have had their day in explaining why the Republicans did so poorly. Fingers pointed everywhere with all sorts of accusations, credible and farfetched. No one is completely happy with the explanations. However, one factor weighs heavily upon … Read more
Starting this spring, Villanova University near Philadelphia adopted “inclusive language” that promotes “transgenderism.” It calls itself a Catholic university. Founded and run by the Augustinian order, Fr. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. is the current president. Its Mission Statement reads: “Villanova University is a Catholic Augustinian community of higher education, committed to excellence and distinction … Read more
Corpus Christi is the grand and solemn liturgical feast in praise of the Blessed Sacrament. Inspired by Saint Juliana of Mont Cornillon (1193–1258), it originated in the Middle Ages. Pope Urban IV approved it with the Bull Transiturus of September 8, 1264, and asked Saint Thomas Aquinas to compose its liturgical office. Hence, we owe to Saint … Read more
