Articles about the decline of Christianity abound, most of them based on some form of public polling. For instance, in January 2024, the Pew Research Center posited that twenty-eight percent of American adults are “religiously unaffiliated,” up from sixteen percent in 2007. Why is the Bible Gaining Popularity? So, the recent news … Read more
As a priest, missionary, pastor and bishop, Saint John Nepomucene Neumann (1811-1860) frequently confronted anti-Catholic persecution. Catholic thinker and man of action Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira made many commentaries on this aspect of American history and the role of Saint John Neumann in fighting against this persecution. The Brazilian author of … Read more
The Royal Navy sailor is believed to be the first British Catholic to be cured at Lourdes On December 8, 2024, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool (England) reported the miraculous healing of John Traynor, a sailor in the British Royal Navy, on the 81st anniversary of … Read more
For several years, I have made the New Year’s resolution to make my Sundays Internet-free. That means I cut off any connection with the Internet, be it email, websites or videos. It does not include phone calls or text messages. This Internet fast allows me to dedicate my Sunday to other things. … Read more
The following is a sermon given on Christmas by Saint John Vianney—the Cure of Ars—and is taken from Sermons for the Feast Days of the Year by the Cure of Ars. You can listen to this sermon narrated by Edwin Benson on Spotify. * * * “And his name shall be called Emmanuel” … Read more
In August 1851, Pope Pius IX elevated Bishop Francis Kenrick from the Diocese of Philadelphia to the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Upon arrival, the new archbishop began going to Father Neumann for confession. The two men were acquainted, but the archbishop grew increasingly impressed with the immigrant priest’s intelligence, ability and energy. When … Read more
My gift suggestion for an original Christmas gift for a loved one is a calendar. It can be any calendar according to the needs and inclinations of the one who will receive it. It does not matter if it is a wall calendar, a pocket version or a personal planner, as long … Read more
It is not the case to discuss all the aspects of Father Nicholas von Diessbach’s gigantic plan of the apostolate, especially since the French Revolution prevented its full development. Thus, it is better to look at the promotion of the Amicizia Cristiana (Christian Friendship) association, which was the center of all his … Read more
December 8, 2024, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, marked a moment of profound significance for France and Christianity. The world witnessed the triumphant reopening of Notre Dame de Paris five years after the fire almost destroyed this masterpiece of the Catholic faith. This event goes beyond the simple restoration of a … Read more
John Neumann arrived in America on June 2, 1836, and left on June 28 for his first priestly assignment near Buffalo, New York. During the whirlwind month between arrival and assignment, he walked much of the city without a guide or map, met Bishop John Dubois, was accepted as an aspirant to … Read more