Much has been written about whether or not Islam is an aggressive religion that imposes itself by force rather than preaching. The answer is not simple. There were two quite distinctive periods in Muhammad’s life. The first one was when he still lived in his hometown, Mecca (Meccan Period). This period lasted … Read more
Published here on the anniversary of his baptism, January 31, 1842 Everyone knows about the Marian shrines of Loreto and Pompeii, and, in Rome, the great basilicas, but not everyone knows that, in the heart of the eternal city, there is a little parochial basilica, Saint Andrea delle Fratte, also known as … Read more
The organization Amicizia Cristiana (Christian Friendship) referred to its local groups as colonies because each new one was founded by members of an already existing group. These colonies met twice weekly, and their “assemblies” lasted a maximum of two hours. Each session began with a religious lecture, followed by a discussion about … Read more
The Catholic secret association known as Aa spread throughout France in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. Many Catholic institutions, either directly or indirectly, owe their origins to it. Among them is the Foreign Missions Seminary in Paris, which famously accomplished the vital work of propagating the Faith. In 1781, a churchman … Read more
As mentioned in the last article, the Catholic association “Aa” had an impenetrable secrecy that protected its activities, but it makes it difficult today to know how it was organized and what impact it had. However, from the beginning, it was known to be an association reserved mainly for young men preparing … Read more
The United Kingdom’s Labour Party government is presenting a bill to abolish the hereditary lords from the upper chamber of Parliament. Hereditary lords are those House of Lords’ members who inherit the right to sit in the upper House based on services rendered to the realm. Many storied families have retained this … 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 … Read more
In October, the Vatican launched the mascot for the 2025 jubilee: an anime-style representation of what appears to be a woke pilgrim girl. This character features a small girl with blue hair named Luce. She has scallop shells for pupils, a yellow storm jacket, a strange walking stick and muddy boots. The … Read more
On December 18, 2024, Pope Francis announced Wednesday the “equipollent canonization” of the sixteen Martyrs of Compiègne. In so doing, Pope Francis confirmed the conclusions reached by the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints. Their feast will be observed on July 17, the anniversary of their martyrdom. The official announcement cited … Read more
As the transition to a new American government approaches, both parties will use, and some say, abuse, the presidential pardon. The President has the right to grant clemency to those guilty of federal crimes. The original purpose of the pardon is to mitigate the harsh demands of justice. It is a uniquely … Read more