In a recent meeting of our weekly Catholic Study Group, the topic of Purgatory was broached, specifically the topic of the fires and pain of Purgatory. One member suggested that we consult the saints about this.
Bring Back the Vesting Prayers!
Here is a well-intentioned but ill-advised promotional video for attending Holy Mass. Well, perhaps "ill-advised" is a little harsh. He's a good priest. https://youtube.com/shorts/WmLs4wfej-A?feature=share It serves to remind me that we should bring back the vesting prayers of the Traditional Latin Mass: Washing Hands Da, Dómine, virtútem mánibus meis ad…
A Visit to Assisi
On a recent pilgrimage to Italy We took a bus through the beautiful Italian countryside from Rome to Assisi where we saw the tombs of St. Claire and St. Francis, St. Francis' habits and the basilicas of St. Francis and St. Claire. We'll have to go back to see the…
The Horns of Moses
We were blessed to have had the opportunity to visit the Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) while on a recent pilgrimage to Rome, and while at the basilica, we saw Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of Moses which has been housed there since the 16th century (“The…
A Journey Through the Scriptures
A Bible Study Toolbox for Catholics Some Interpretive Principles The Four Senses of Sacred Scripture– Catechism of the Catholic Church…
Bible Study Tools for Catholics
Sacred Scriptures Online Bibles Some Good Bible Study Apps BibleGateway.com (Includes many versions of the Bible, including Catholic bibles with…
Handling Bible Difficulties
Here are some posts that explain some of the more difficult passages of the Bible.
The Fires of Purgatory
In a recent meeting of our weekly Catholic Study Group, the topic of Purgatory was broached, specifically the topic of the fires and pain of…
A Brief History of the Seven Deadly Sins
At a recent meeting of our Catholic study group, one member said, “I heard a priest say that there was once an eighth deadly sin…
Why do they like the Latin Mass?
"What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even…
On Servile Work
The first precept of the Church is: "You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor" Catechism of…
The Fires of Purgatory
In a recent meeting of our weekly Catholic Study Group, the topic of Purgatory was broached, specifically the topic of…
Irreconcilable Differences: Why the Catholic Church Forbids Masonic Membership
Why does the Catholic Church forbid membership in Freemasonry and masonic organizations? A brief history Freemasonry began as a guild…
Parrésia: Boldness and the Holy Spirit in Acts
A word study of the Book of Acts of the Apostles After reading the Acts of the Apostles from beginning…
A Brief History of the Seven Deadly Sins
At a recent meeting of our Catholic study group, one member said, “I heard a priest say that there was…
Bring Back the Vesting Prayers!
Here is a well-intentioned but ill-advised promotional video for attending Holy Mass. Well, perhaps "ill-advised" is a little harsh. He's…
The Six Days of Creation
Introduction St. Thomas Aquinas has provided the Church with an intriguing interpretation of the six days of creation described in…
A Brief History of the Latin Vulgate
Introduction What role does the Latin Vulgate, St. Jerome's translation of the Sacred Scriptures into Latin, play in the Church…
On the Death of King David’s Baby
This comment recently appeared on our Catholic Study Group Facebook page: Here’s the short answer: Yes, God punished David by…
The Priestly Blessing
Let’s linger in the Sinai desert with the Israelites and consider one of the oldest blessings in the Bible, one…
Artistic or Pornographic? A Theological Analysis of Nude Art
Nude art has long been the subject of theological debate, regardless of Christian denomination. Although respect and public display of…
Six for Six
Where did the Church get the idea that what looks like bread and wine in the Eucharist is actually the…
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am…
Litany of Humility
This prayer, composed by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X, makes me…
Rahab, Spies, and Lies
The Old Testament heroine Rahab (pronounced “Raw-KHAWB” in Hebrew) is mentioned in glowing terms several times in the New Testament.…
Achan’s Plunder – and Blunder
In this post I’ll relate a disturbing story from the Book of Joshua story of a Israelite soldier named Achan…
Irreconcilable Differences: Why the Catholic Church Forbids Masonic Membership
Why does the Catholic Church forbid membership in Freemasonry and masonic organizations?
Parrésia: Boldness and the Holy Spirit in Acts
A word study.
In Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke frequently uses two words, Παρρησία (parrésia, boldness) and Παρρησιάζομαι (parrésiazomai, to speak boldly), which have implications for us.