This Friday, October 13th, is the 100th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, and on this date, October 8th, Pope St. John Paul II consecrated the whole world to Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us! The message of...

With the observance of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation around the corner, we’re hearing a lot about the “Counter-Reformation.”  This term is often used by historians and students of Church history to describe what happened in...

“You duped me, Lord. You tricked me, coerced me, seized and overpowered me. You were too strong for me. You won and I lost. Now I’m a laughingstock. Everyone mocks me, makes fun of me all day long.” This is Jeremiah’s complaint against God, and...

Note: Last week, after the so-called “Unite the Right” white-identity rally in Charlottesville degenerated into murderous violence, I looked ahead to this Sunday’s lectionary readings and was struck by the running theme of the universality of...

Such glory in the readings today — the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord! Such glory. These readings bring us to the threshold of heaven: to the Ancient One on his throne, the Ancient of Days, in Daniel’s vision in the first reading,...

This extended holiday weekend I’m sure many of us are planning or hoping to get together with family and friends for cookouts or shared meals. Maybe watching fireworks; maybe setting some off. (Don’t tell me; I don’t want to know!) Some will be...

Earlier this month there was a short-lived scare when a story appeared online with the headline “Breaking: Vatican City Bombing,” with a photo showing thick clouds of black smoke rising above the Vatican. The story implied that Islamist...

Note: By a special gift of God, Pentecost this year falls on the first anniversary of my ordination to the permanent diaconate. My pastor, who never forgets a birthday or an anniversary, graciously asked me to preach on this great...

Oh please. Not another “option.” Not another half-thought-out counterproposal to the Benedict Option to add to the heap, along with the Francis Option, the Dominic Option, the Augustine Option, the 

Yesterday the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty released a statement announcing that a Christian business owner finally won a case brought against him by gay plaintiffs alleging a civil rights violation:  A Kentucky court championed free speech...