Catholic Perspective

Three Reasons Why the Victory at Notre Dame Was Important

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Three Reasons Why the Victory at Notre Dame Was Important

The debate over the hiring of Prof. Susan Ostermann as director of Notre Dame’s Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies is over. It triggered a massive uproar that surprised many by its intensity. In the end, the appointment was a carefully managed and measured defeat for the school’s administration, which was … Read more

Saint Katharine Drexel

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Saint Katharine Drexel

Saint Katharine Drexel, the second American canonized saint, was born into a wealthy family in Philadelphia in 1858. Her father was an international banker and philanthropist accustomed to spending each evening in prayerful vigil. Although her mother passed away a few weeks after Katharine’s birth, her stepmother Emma Bouvier, wealthy in her … Read more

The Affections and Tensions between Pius IX and the Dutch Episcopate

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The Affections and Tensions between Pius IX and the Dutch Episcopate

In the second half of the nineteenth century, the Catholic Church in the Netherlands experienced a revival that was at least on par with France and perhaps stronger than anywhere else in the world. At that time, the Dutch Bishops had the reputation of being Ultramontane, even though they avoided controversies and … Read more

How the “Divorce Ring” Turns We into Me

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How the “Divorce Ring” Turns We into Me

Some tragic things are so symbolic that they demand a commentary. Remaining silent is not an option. Such is the case of a new trend among well-heeled women suffering from the pains of divorce. They have taken to making “divorce” rings to celebrate their newfound “freedom.” Wearing one is a form of … Read more

Probing the Limits of Standardization

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Probing the Limits of Standardization

The industrialized world often mistreats the consumer. With so many mass-produced and standardized products, I sometimes feel standardized myself. There are limits to standardization. Some products present no problems since we benefit from their uniformity. Others cause us to lose our personality since we have to adapt to them. For example, I … Read more

Help 12 Young Men Make Reparation for the Sin of Abortion

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Twelve young men will gather from around the world—Belgium, South Africa, Ecuador, and the United States. We will be going on a pilgrimage. Why are they coming from four different countries? Why unite across continents? A brief backstory. My name is Vincent Maleski. I am a high school senior, and earlier this … Read more

Catholics Reject Unorthodox Speakers at the REC

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Catholics Reject Unorthodox Speakers at the REC

Springtime is approaching in Southern California, which means that the time has come for the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress (REC). For decades, the REC has been a scandal to the Catholic world due to its yearly promotion of dissident speakers who use it as a platform to push their heterodox … Read more

As Islam Surpasses Christianity in Practice, Many Ask: Is Holy Mother Russia Holy?

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As Islam Surpasses Christianity in Practice, Many Ask: Is Holy Mother Russia Holy?

After the fall of the Soviet Union, many believed the Russian Orthodox Church experienced a revival, evoking memories of “Holy Mother Russia.” The outward signs of official government policies favoring orthodoxy and the rebuilding of churches were offered as proof of positive change. However, recent findings and statistics, especially those involving an … Read more