Today, October 21, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of Blessed Charles I of Austria, also known as Charles Habsburg. Curiously, we celebrate his feast day on the day he got married, not on the day of his death. He unexpectedly became Emperor of Austria-Hungary, witnessed the collapse of his empire, … Read more
When in need of special graces, I visit Lourdes. I go to the blessed Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Millions of pilgrims like me gather there every year to seek out grace, favors, and peace. I have never returned unsatisfied or been “left unaided.” Thus, I … Read more
The uproar over the sordid sexual assault case of Jane Doe at Cornell University is raging all over the country. The left has latched on to this cause, framing it as one more example of the patriarchy’s oppression. Women are once again victims of a system that refuses to believe in them. … Read more
The job of a state attorney general is to prosecute crimes. Pretty understandable, eh? Yet, when Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell proudly stood before cameras for a Sept. 30 press conference, it was not to announce that she would be prosecuting any crimes. Rather, Campbell’s press conference was to announce that her office … Read more
On October 7, Secretary of State Michael Rubio gave a major policy speech in Athens, Greece. It was a refreshing example of discourse that showed no fear of highlighting Christendom’s accomplishments. It presented the West as a continuation of its Christian tradition, to be valued, not hated, prolonged, not cut short. The … Read more
Peoples and nations—as well as individuals—receive from God a mission according to the designs of His Providence. In relation to France, Pope Gregory IX, in an October 21, 1239 letter to King St. Louis, has these beautiful words: “God, to whom the heavenly legions obey, having established different kingdoms here on earth … Read more
In Portland, Oregon, a suburban parish’s decision to remodel the interior of its church building has the local architectural community crying over the loss of an “architectural masterpiece.” To read the coverage, one might think that the building belongs to the architects rather than to the parish. A Typical Suburban Parish The … Read more
“Long live Christ the King! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!” Exactly one hundred years ago, this cry of militant Faith echoed throughout Mexico. It was the beginning of the Cristiada, the military epic of the Cristeros, as these Catholic militants were disparagingly called. Today, it is a title of glory. A … Read more
One of the buzzwords that dominates the Catholic Church these days is “listening.” In the synodal church, bishops and clergy are called to pay special attention to what the faithful are saying on all the burning issues of the day. In this way, they will supposedly be better positioned to discern where … Read more
Pope Leo XIV has called the presidents of bishops’ conferences to Rome from Oct. 7—14 for a weeklong gathering on Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia. He says: “In light of the changes that continue to impact families, I have decided to convene the presidents of the Episcopal Conferences from around the … Read more