Does Your Parish Ring Tower Bells at Mass? The National Catholic Register Wants to Hear From You!...
For centuries, the sound of church bells has called the faithful to prayer, not just before Mass but during its holiest moments. Beginning in the late 12th century, many churches rang their tower bells at the consecration and during the elevation of the Host. The practice served as both a sign of reverence and a summons to adoration — a reminder for those inside the church and those working nearby to pause and offer praise to Our Lord.
5 Takeaways from This Sunday’s Gospel, the Wedding Feast at Cana...
It is significant that the great public revelation about who Jesus is starts with Mary. The Blessed Mother is the center of the scene. She initiates his miracle with four words to him: “They have no wine.” Christ’s response — “My hour has not yet come” — is a reference to the fact, seemingly well known to both mother and son, that to reveal his glory will lead to “his hour” — his death...
How Pictures of Mary Led an Atheist to Jesus...
Two decades ago, Sally Read was an award-winning poet, an outspoken feminist as well as a vehemently anti-Catholic atheist. Then, unexpectedly, in 2010, she converted to Catholicism. Subsequently, six years later, she published her acclaimed spiritual memoir about that faith journey: Night’s Bright Darkness: A Modern Conversion Story. She has since published books on theology and poetry.
Rare video (with sound) of meteorite striking Earth caught on doorbell camera...
Confirmed: The corruption Pope Francis chose not to expose...
This week, with the publication of his new book, Pope Francis has added one important link to the chain of evidence regarding the fight against Vatican corruption. In April 2012, Pope Benedict created a special commission of three senior cardinals (Herranz, Tomko, and DeGiorgi) to investigate the nasty Vatican infighting that had resulted in the leaking of confidential documents that was quickly dubbed the “Vatileaks” scandal...
Theology of Geography: Jesus’ Baptism Site Brims With Significance...
The Baptism of the Lord Jesus teaches us something about the theology of geography. There are many places where water for baptism could be found in the land of Israel. Why was Jesus baptized by John in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea? Biblical geography was highlighted last week as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state, consecrated a new church at the Al-Maghtas site...
John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ is deeply opposed to Christian hope — and the sacred purpose of a church...
As Catholics, we understand that music can elevate the soul and express profound and saving truth. But music can also promote troubling philosophies when chosen without discernment. That’s why hearing John Lennon’s “Imagine” performed by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood during Jimmy Carter’s funeral at the National Cathedral struck such a tragic chord. (The same duo performed the song at former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s funeral just over a year ago.)
Italian Bishops: Reports of Change to ‘Gay Seminarian Policy’ Are Fake News...
Farm Boy, Exorcist, Archbishop: Milwaukee’s New Shepherd Aims to ‘Keep It Real’...
Perhaps it was an upbringing exposed to life and death on a Wisconsin dairy farm. Or maybe it’s the experience of being an exorcist in the Archdiocese of Chicago for nearly two decades. Whatever the case, when Archbishop-designate Jeffrey Grob found out this past fall that Pope Francis wanted him to be the next shepherd of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, he took the news in stride.
Not ordinary bread, please, but the Bread of Life...
‘Old Communist Tactics’: Polish Archbishop Criticizes Petition to Ban Children’s Confession...
President Biden Awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom ‘With Distinction’...
Elon Musk Is Looking for God on Mars...
This Sunday, After the Baptism of the Lord, All Eyes Are On Us: 5 Sunday Mass Takeaways...
Family Sings to Mary at Site of Home Burned to the Ground in California Wildfire...
Go Beyond the Gurus: Here Are 2 Principles of a Higher Approach to Self-Care...
Popular trends today reveal that human nature is always ‘at work’ in people, inclining us toward various good things. At the same time, these trends can illustrate how misconceptions and disordered desires can taint or pervert such good inclinations. A growing emphasis of ‘self-care’ can be a case a point—and an important one in this time of new year resolutions.
Vatican City Cracks Down on People ‘Evading Border Controls’ — plus 10 Rules for a Young Man on a First Date...
I am enthralled to the father of monasticism, for a number of reasons. Of course, there is his great theological contribution to combating Arianism. And his popularization of the ascetic life is unparalleled in its effect on the life of the Church — he effectively created an entire new spiritual lung, which is still sustaining the Church through prayer and spiritual combat. But what I love most about St. Anthony is the innocent literalism with which he heard and responded to the words of Christ...
What Should Catholics Believe About UFOs?
Pope Francis Suffers Bruised Arm But ‘No Fractures’ After Falling at Casa Santa Marta ...
The Vatican said Thursday that Pope Francis had suffered a “contusion” on his right forearm after falling at his residence that same morning. While the arm was not fractured in the accident, it was braced “as a precautionary measure,” the brief communication said. Pope Francis’ arm, tied up in a white sling, was visible in photos taken on the morning of Jan. 16 in the apostolic palace during his scheduled audiences.
Donkeys and ‘Space’...
In the Church’s contemporary calendar, today is Tuesday in the First Week of Ordinary Time, a relatively unremarkable liturgical date. But in medieval France, January 14 was something altogether different: it was the day on which Catholics celebrated the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt — and celebrated the donkey who took the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Jesus himself, to safety. On the Feast of the Ass, as it was known, French cities held festivals and dramatic pageants...
The Catholic Roots of the Presidential Medal of Freedom...
What Are Some Good Bible Study Tools for Catholics?
It’s often said that Catholics don’t know the Bible very well, but this isn’t entirely accurate. The truth is that Catholics who regularly attend Mass are often a lot more well versed in the Scriptures than they realize. Although we still have a lot to learn from our Protestants brothers and sisters about the value of memorizing Sacred Scripture...
The First Jubilee and the Last Medieval Pope...
St. Hilary of Poitiers Nourished His Flock with Truth...
If last week we met a variety of saints — many of whom from North America — this week we have something of a dearth: most of the weekdays are days in Ordinary Time. Except for Jan. 13, the feast of St. Hilary of Poitiers. Hilary was a fourth-century doctor of the Western Church. He was bishop of Poitiers, a city in west-central France, originally founded by a Celtic tribe.
Pope Francis Sends Prayers as Los Angeles Fires Destroy Churches, Neighborhoods...
Let It Linger, Hail Caesar, and the Politics of Heraldry...
Biden’s Scrapped Vatican Trip Highlights Symbolism of Farewell Diplomacy...
‘God, Please Spare My Church’: Deacon, Parishioners Save Sacred Heart Church From Altadena Fire...
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