“The smoking flax he shall not extinguish,” says the Gospel about Our Lord. Although the once-Catholic European countries are largely covered in the ashes of apostasy, immorality and indifference, a tiny spark of Faith still smolders. This ember is showing its increasing light and warmth in Europe. The most emblematic case is … Read more
As Vatican statistics document yet another decline in the number of Catholic priests and seminarians, many Church officials seem determined to do everything apart from return to traditional practices, despite traditional orders seeing continued growth in vocations and attendance. The latest official statistics for the Catholic Church released by the Vatican make … Read more
The New York Times, that normalizer of all things revolutionary, offers yet another example of the world’s slide into evil and uncertainty. This time, the topic is “The Age of Techno-Spiritualism.” The article begins with a poignant example. “An older Korean man named Mr. Lee, dressed in a blazer and slacks, clutches … Read more
As mentioned in previous installments of this series, little is known about the Amicizia apostolate in Italy in the years leading up to the French Revolution. Father Pio Brunone Lanteri unquestionably organized Aa, Amicizia Sacerdotale, and Amicizia Cristiana in Turin. He was also a driving force in disseminating good books. At the … Read more
Back in the sixties and seventies, the international Catholic peace movement Pax Christi always found a way to be in the news. Its activists protested nuclear weapons, joined civil rights demonstrations or denounced the Vietnam War. However, this Catholic peace group rarely appears in the news these days. The movement is suffering … Read more
A new fad has appeared on the horizon for those who have many things and want more time to enjoy them. Deep-pocketed customers can pay six-figure annual fees for membership in longevity clinics. These high-end medical facilities do not promise eternity but only an extension of avoiding mortality. They offer a line … Read more
“If you don’t give up 15 minutes a day to foster this friendship with the Lord, how are you going to spend eternity in heaven with him?” Alfredo Janson spoke this magnificent bit of simple wisdom. Mr. Janson is not a priest or a member of a religious order. He is a … Read more
The first part of this article explored some of the key themes of the First Ecclesial Assembly of Latin America and the Caribbean, including its acerbic critique of ‘clericalism’ and presentation of synodality as a panacea, giving the laity a decisive role in Church governance, and accepting women into ordained ministries. In … Read more
On March 11, from his bed in the Gemelli Hospital—where eight days earlier he almost died—Pope Francis summoned the Universal Church to gather in an ecclesial assembly in October 2028. By then, we may already have a new pope. Seemingly, the idea would be to ensure that the Synod of Synodality attains … Read more
In 1787, Father Pio Brunone Lanteri traveled to Switzerland. As he prepared to leave, Turin’s Aa advised the Chambéry Aa that he would pass through their city. The available sources do not disclose the reason for his trip. However, the Servant of God likely traveled to Switzerland to meet with Father Nicholas … Read more