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# The Thoughtful Catholic

In search of the true, the good, and the beautiful.

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## Posts

- [The Senses of Sacred Scripture](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-senses-of-sacred-scripture/) - The four senses of Sacred Scripture. The Church proposes four ways to appropriate the spiritual gifts of the Scriptures to our lives.
- [Looking to the Heavens](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/looking-to-the-heavens/) - “He determines the number of the stars, He gives to all of them their names.” Psalm 147:4 RSVCE
- [A Critical Look at the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-critical-look-at-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - Pope Leo and the Neocatechumenal Way Pope Leo XIV's address to the leaders of the Neocatechumenal Way, Monday, January 19, 2026. Cult or Sect? Are we dealing with a cult? - Thirteen signs of a cult-like organization. Charting the Cult-like Nature of the Way - If we are ever to convince influential and possibly compromised churchmen that
- [Examining the Cult-Like Nature of the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/examining-the-cult-like-nature-of-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - Here is a presentation I recently provided to the Voice of Laity, a group of laypeople in New Mexico wherein I analyzed 13 aspects of the movement where it exhibits authoritarian control.
- [Bible Study Tools for Catholics](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/bible-study-tools-for-catholics/) - Various tools for Catholic bible study.
- [Understanding the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/understanding-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - Here's a presentation I gave to the Voice of the Laity group of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on the subject of the Neocatechumenal Way. I cover the history of the movement in Guam and various doctrinal distortions found in their teaching.
- [A Journey Through the Scriptures](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-march-through-the-scriptures/) - An ever growing collection of posts on the books of the Bible.
- [The Morning Star](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-morning-star/) - On "the Morning Star," a powerful title of Our Lord.
- [The Ship and the Rafts](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-ship-and-the-rafts/) - Here is a wonderful analogy of the Church provided by Catholic apologist Steve Ray when he visited the Archdiocese of Agana several years ago.
- [The Harrowing of Hell](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-harrowing-of-hell/) - Our Lord descended into hell after His death. Where did He actually go and why?
- [Why You Can’t Read James Without Your Old Testament](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/why-you-cant-read-james-without-your-old-testament/) - Just how rooted in the Old Testament is Our Lord's moral teaching?
- [The Horns of the Unicorns](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-horns-of-the-unicorns/) - Palm Sunday's introit in the Traditional Latin Mass references "the horns of the unicorns." Is it referring to a mythical beast?
- [The Scandalous "Doctrine" of Discovery](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-scandalous-doctrine-of-discovery/) - A short history of a scandalous political policy.
- [Trouble in Las Cruces!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/trouble-in-las-cruces/) - Faithful Catholics in Las Cruces, New Mexico are petitioning for transparency and orthodoxy in the face of the ham-handed, scorched earth pastoral practices of the Neocatechumenal Way there.
- [On the Apostleship of St. Paul](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-the-apostleship-of-st-paul/) - Was St. Paul ever ordained by one or more of the original Apostles, or did he even need to be?
- [The Abomination of Desolation](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-abomination-of-desolation/) - On the Antichrist and his desecration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
- [A Primer on Modernism](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-primer-on-modernism/) - An overview of a particularly pernicious heresy.
- [The Malaise of Modernity](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-malaise-of-modernity/) - A review of a foundational text for the communitarian critique of liberalism.
- ["She shall crush thy head"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/she-shall-crush-thy-head/) - On a controversy that arose when comparing the Clementine Vulgate to the Nova Vulgata (New Vulgate) and other modern translations of the Scriptures. One example in particular, the Protoevangelium (Genesis 3:15), has garnered some attention.
- [Roman Roads and the Spread of the Gospel](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/roman-roads-and-the-gospel/) - The vast system of Roman roads greatly facilitated the spread of the Gospel.
- [Bad Bibles](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/bad-bibles/) - We briefly digressed into the topic of “bad bibles” at our last weekly Catholic Study Group meeting and the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation (NWT) was mentioned among others.
- [Catholic AI apps](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/catholic-ai-apps/) - Here's a few Catholic AI apps to check out.
- [Handling Bible Difficulties](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/handling-bible-difficulties/) - Here are some posts that explain some of the more difficult passages of the Bible.
- [On the Atonement](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-the-atonement/) - Wherein the Church Fathers and others weigh in on the Atonement wrought by Our Lord.
- [How was Our Lord "made to be sin"?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/how-was-our-lord-made-to-be-sin/) - How could God have made Our Lord “to be sin?” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- [Muscipula Diaboli - the Devil's Mousetrap](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/muscipula-diaboli-the-devils-mousetrap/) - Wherein two Doctors of the Church speculate that the cross of Our Lord was a trap set for the devil.
- [On Usery](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-usery/) - Has the Church's teaching on usery - the charging of interest on loans - changed?
- [Abba, Father](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/abba-father/) - God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
- [On the Death of King David's Baby](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-the-death-of-king-davids-baby/) - Why did God strike down the baby of King David and Bathsheba?
- [Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/holy-ghost-or-holy-spirit/) - Is it better to use the name “Holy Ghost” for the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, or is it is better to use “Holy Spirit”?
- [Woman, what is that to me and to thee?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/woman-what-is-that-to-me-and-to-thee/) - Wherein we discuss a strange Semitic idiom used by Our Lord at the Wedding at Cana.
- [The Brown Scapular](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-brown-scapular/) - Is the wearing of the Brown Scapular superstitious?
- [153 Fish](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/153-fish/) - What is the significance of the specific number of fish, 153, that the apostles caught after Our Lord's resurrection?
- [The Evangelical Suffering of St. Paul](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-evangelical-suffering-of-st-paul/) - What could be “lacking” in Christ’s afflictions? Wasn’t His sacrificial death for us sufficient?
- [Who was Cain's wife?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/who-was-cains-wife/) - If the human race is descended from one pair of original parents, then who was Cain's wife?
- [On Eden](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-eden/) - Overviews of two compelling interpretations of the creation narrative found in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis.
- [Some Good Bible Apps](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/some-good-bible-apps/) - As a follow up to our discussion during a recent meeting of our Catholic Study Group I thought it would be good to present an overview of two closely related Bible apps, the Logos Bible Study app and the Verbum Catholic Bible Study app, both from Faithlife Corporation.
- [The Holy Rosary](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-holy-rosary/) - Our Monday night Catholic Study Group recently considered the topic of the Rosary as it is presented in our text, "The Essential Catholic Survival Guide: Answers to Tough Questions About the Faith".
- [Anointing of the Sick](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/anointing-of-the-sick/) - When discussing the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in our Catholic Study Group last Monday night, we asked "What sins are remitted by this sacrament?"
- [The Apostolic Pardon](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-apostolic-pardon/) - When discussing the Anointing of the Sick at one of our recent Catholic Study Group meetings, the text briefly mentioned “the Apostolic Pardon”. Have you heard of it? Neither had I.
- [A Brief History of the Seven Deadly Sins](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/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 - sadness.” The glove was thrown to the ground and I just had to check this claim out. 
- [The Fires of Purgatory](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/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 Purgatory. One member suggested that we consult the saints about this.
- [Was St. John the Baptist born without Original Sin?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/was-st-john-the-baptist-born-without-original-sin/) - Was St. John the Baptist born without Original Sin? This topic came up at a recent weekly meeting of our Catholic Study Group.
- [The Lamb of God](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-lamb-of-god/) - Just what does John the Baptist mean by calling Jesus the "Lamb of God"?
- [The Hilasterion](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-hilasterion/) - Pope Benedict XVI insisted on a Christological reading of the Hebrew Scriptures, and in so doing, gave us an enriched understanding of Jesus Christ and our redemption through study of the worship and sacrifice of the Old Testament.
- [Outside the Camp](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/outside-the-camp/) - If we find ourselves currently comfortable, we should ask ourselves why we are not in any sense "outside the camp".
- [Address of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the Leaders of the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/address-of-his-holiness-pope-leo-xiv-to-the-leaders-of-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - Pope Leo XIV met with the leaders of the Neocatechumenal Way on Monday, January 19, 2026, and he spent a significant part of his address speaking of issues of unity and urging them to avoid exclusion, closure, intimidation and actions that arouse guilt and fear.
- [The Six Days of Creation](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/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 the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. The Six Days You undoubtedly remember the story of creation in the Book of Genesis: On day one, God created the light and separated it from the darkness,
- [Dying to the Powers](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/dying-to-the-powers/) - On the Atonement and dying to the powers of evil.
- ["We have seen His star at its rising."](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/we-have-seen-his-star-at-its-rising/) - On the Magi, the Star of Bethlehem and an ancient prophecy that circulated among the gentiles from long before Jesus was born.
- [Veni, Creator Spiritus](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/veni-creator-spiritus/) - A great prayer for the new year: Veni, Creator Spiritus.
- [A Prayer for Onesiphorus](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-prayer-for-onesiphorus/) - Did St. Paul pray for a dead man? Some scholars think so.
- [On Eden and the Temple](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-eden-and-the-temple/) - Jewish and Christian exegetes noticed long ago that the Sacred Scriptures strongly linked Eden with the Temple. Can this offer us an insight into Our Lord's words about the Temple in the New Testament?
- [Vessel of Honor](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/vessel-of-honor/) - The biblical origins of the Marian title "Vessel of Honor" from the Litany of Loreto.
- [Irreconcilable Differences: Why the Catholic Church Forbids Masonic Membership](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/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](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/boldness-and-the-holy-spirit/) - 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.
- [Bring Back the Vesting Prayers!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/bring-back-the-vesting-prayers/) - A well-intentioned but ill-advised promotional video for attending Holy Mass.
- [Proverbs and the Poor](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/proverbs-and-the-poor/) - The seeds of Our Lord’s social teaching were given in God’s revelation to Israel, the Old Testament. Here is an example from the Book of Proverbs and St. Matthew's Gospel.
- [Why do they like the Latin Mass?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/why-do-they-like-the-latin-mass/) - Once in a great while somebody will ask me, “Why do you like the Latin Mass?” Here's an answer.
- [A Visit to Assisi](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-visit-to-assisi/) - On a recent pilgrimage to Italy We took a bus through the beautiful Italian countryside from Rome to Assisi.
- [The Scala Sancta (Holy Steps)](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-scala-sancta-holy-steps/) - We recently had the privilege of visting the Pontificio Santuario della Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) during a recent pilgrimage to Rome.
- [The Horns of Moses](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-horns-of-moses/) - On a most peculiar feature of Michelangelo's famous sculpture of Moses.
- [Eulogy of a Little Sister](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/eulogy-of-a-little-sister/) - A eulogy of Colleen Patricia White, who invited her family to love in a way that contradicted the world.
- [Pope Leo's Roots](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/pope-leos-roots/) - After Pope Leo’s election to the Chair of Peter, countless amateur genealogists, and some professional ones too, went straight to work to learn more about our new pope’s roots, and I thought that my readers might appreciate a summary.
- [Pope Leo and the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/pope-leo-and-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - Pope Leo XIV has had some experience in bringing healing to a diocese damaged by the Neocatechumenal Way.
- [A Brief History of the Latin Vulgate](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-brief-history-of-the-latin-vulgate/) - What role does the Latin Vulgate, St. Jerome's translation of the Sacred Scriptures into Latin, play in the Church today? And what is its role vis-à-vis the many modern translations approved by the Church and now in use?
- [Is Aslan on the move?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/is-aslan-on-the-move/) - This week the Holy See announced Monday the appointment of Cardinal Baldo Reina as grand chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences, replacing Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia.
- [Hopes for a new pontificate](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/hopes-for-a-new-pontificate/) - If they practiced at Nicaea what I perceive they now mean by "synodality" - especially as the Germans perceive now perceive it - then we'd all be Arians today.
- [Pope Leo on Media and Evangelization](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/pope-leo-on-media-and-evangelization/) - Here's an excellent 2012 34-minute interview of the future Pope Leo XIV by the Catholic News Service on the media and evangelization.
- [May Devotions to Mary](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/may-devotions-to-mary/) - Here are the devotions prayed at the St. Fidelis Friary in Guam during the month of May before Mass.
- [Habemus Papam!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/habemus-papam/) - Let us pray for our Pope Leo XIV, that he shepherd the Church well, leading all men to Christ.
- [A Childless Dystopia](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-childless-dystopia/) - The world is rapidly heading toward a childless dystopia.
- [On the Resurrected Body](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-the-resurrection-of-the-body/) - Revised April 29, 2025. During the Easter season, as we reflect on Jesus' resurrection, it is profitable to reflect on the attributes or qualities of our own future resurrected bodies. Perhaps such reflection will make us thirst for the resurrection! In his Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas Aquinas speculated that the glorified, resurrected body will have seven
- [Miriam, the Prophetess](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/miriam-the-prophetess/) - Let’s take a look at the story of Miriam, the sister of Moses, and see what bearing her story might have on us.
- [On Ezekiel's "Laws that were not good"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-ezekiels-laws-that-were-not-good/) - Therefore I also gave them statutes that were not good, and judgments, in which they shall not live. And I polluted them in their own gifts, when they offered all that opened the womb, for their offences: and they shall know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 20:25-26 How could, or in what manner, did God give Israel such laws? Are not all of His laws good?
- [Seven Last Words of Our Lord on the Cross](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/seven-last-words-of-our-lord-on-the-cross/) - These Seven Last Words of Our Lord on the Cross are prayed on Good Friday at the Saint Fidelis Capuchin Friary in Guam.
- [Franciscan Stations of the Cross with the Stabat Mater in English](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/franciscan-stations-of-the-cross/) - Often prayed at the St. Fidelis Capuchin Friary on Guam during the season of Lent.
- [St. Alphonse Liguori's Traditional Stations of the Cross](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/traditional-stations-of-the-cross/) - Here is St. Alphonse Liguori's Stations of the Cross.
- [Praying to Saints?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/praying-to-saints/) - Why do we Catholics ask the Saints in Heaven to pray for us? Is there any basis for that in the Bible? Let's take a look. Should members of the Body of Christ pray for each other? Our non-Catholic friends may ask, “Shouldn't we bring our petitions to Jesus first?” Absolutely! This is our duty as
- [On Servile Work](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-servile-work/) - The Church still teaches that we are to avoid doing servile work on Sundays. Just what is "servile work"?
- [The Catechetical Instructions of St. Thomas Aquinas](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-catechetical-instructions-of-st-thomas-aquinas/) - An English translation of a great catechism written by St. Thomas Aquinas. Short, but packed with explanations.
- [Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/mene-mene-tekel-upharsin/) - Wherein we discuss the ominous writing on the wall in the Book of Daniel.
- [The Songs of the Servant of YHWH](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-songs-of-the-servant-of-yhwh/) - In the Acts of the Apostles we read of a remarkable encounter between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. The eunuch was about to learn about some startling prophesies in the Book of Isaiah.
- [The Johannine Comma](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-johannine-comma/) - Why have modern translations of the Bible removed a verse traditionally held to be part of the inspired Sacred Scriptures?
- [Book Review:  "A Map of Life"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/book-review-a-map-of-life/) - "A Map of Life", by Frank Sheed, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1994. Originally published by Sheed & Ward, London, 1933. 147 pages. I first heard of Frank Sheed, a 20th lay Catholic apologist while I was in college when a friend recommended his book, "Theology and Sanity" to me. After moving to Guam I learned
- [A Handbook of Moral Theology](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-handbook-of-moral-theology/) - A classic guide to moral theology, faithful to the Magisterium and written before things got wacky.
- [Book Review: "No One Sees God - The Dark Night of Atheists and Believers"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/post-2/) - By Michael Novak, Doubleday, 2008 "No one has ever seen God, but as long as we love one another God remains in us and his love comes to its perfection in us." 1 John 4:12 (NJB) Novak's states his purpose in writing the book very succinctly: "...unbelievers and believers need to learn a new habit of reasoned
- [Book Review:  Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/book-review-jesus-and-the-jewish-roots-of-the-eucharist/) - Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, by Brant Pitre, Doubleday, New York, 2011. 202 pages. Nihil Obstat, Impramatur, with a foreword by Scott Hahn and amply footnoted. "The message of Jesus is completely misunderstood if it is separated from the context of the faith and hope of the Chosen People." Pope Benedict
- [Book Review: The Spirit of the Liturgy](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/book-review-the-spirit-of-the-liturgy/) - The Spirit of the Liturgy, by Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Ignatius Press, 2000. Reviewed by Rey Dalisay. What is the liturgy? What happens during the liturgy? What kind of reality do we encounter there? So begins Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger’s book The Spirit of the Liturgy. Without a doubt, these questions about the Church’s highest prayer are
- [Book Review:  "An Introduction to the Prophets of Israel"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/book-review-an-introduction-to-the-prophets-of-israel-by-fr-richard-t-a-murphy-o-p/) - "An Introduction to the Prophets of Israel", Richard Thomas Aquinas Murphy O.P., St. Paul Books & Media, Boston, 1996. 123 pages. "In the Old Testament, the New lies concealed, in the New Testament, the Old lies revealed." St. Augustine of Hippo It's with these words of St. Augustine that Fr. Richard
- [Book review: "Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/book-review-forming-intentional-disciples-the-path-to-knowing-and-following-jesus/) - "Can you tell me the story of your relationship with God so far?" This "threshold question" is at the heart of the book, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus, by Sherry Weddell (published by Our Sunday Visitor, 2012). Any person can be asked this question, whether that person be Catholic or
- [Book Review:  Short Stories by Jesus, The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/book-review-short-stories-by-jesus-the-enigmatic-parables-of-a-controversial-rabbi/) - Short Stories by Jesus, The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, by Amy-Jill Levine, HarperCollins, New York, 2014, 313 pages. "Religion has been defined to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. We do well to think of the parables of Jesus as doing the afflicting. Therefore, if we hear a parable and think,
- [What Does the Catholic Church Teach?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/what-does-the-catholic-church-teach/) - Where can we go to find out what the Catholic Church teaches?
- [The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-seven-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit/) - The Church often cites verses from the eleventh chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah as the source of its traditional list of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- [A Kingdom of Priests](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-kingdom-of-priests/) - As God was leading the Israelites through the desert, He stopped them at the base of Mount Sinai and made a startling promise. What might this promise mean for us?
- [Some Catholic Jokes](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/some-catholic-jokes/) - Some relatively clean humor...
- [The Priestly Blessing](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-priestly-blessing/) - Let’s linger in the Sinai desert with the Israelites and consider one of the oldest blessings in the Bible, one which we still use today.
- [The Song of the Ark](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-song-of-the-ark/) - The Song of the Ark was sung by Moses and the Israelites when they broke or pitched camp in the wilderness. The Church Fathers had a startling insight into it, an insight that has everything to do with the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- [Mary, the new Ark of the Covenant](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/mary-the-new-ark-of-the-covenant/) - We celebrate the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God throughout the Latin rite today, at least in the Ordinary form of the liturgy. In honor of Mary, the Θεοτόκος, the "theotokos" or "God bearer", I'd like to present a short audio clip of Catholic evangelist Steve Ray discussing the idea of Mary as the "new
- [Achan's Plunder - and Blunder](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/achans-plunder-and-blunder/) - Here's a disturbing story from the Book of Joshua story of a Israelite soldier named Achan who made a terrible mistake. What I say may not make the story any less disturbing, but we will hear a great spiritual lesson related to it from St. John of the Cross.
- [On Jephthah's Rash Oath](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-jephthahs-rash-oath/) - On Jephthah, a tragic hero of the Book of Judges.
- [On Death in the Psalms](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-death-in-the-psalms/) - It cannot be said that a belief in an afterlife and immortality of the soul are expressed in the Book of Psalms. What are we to make of this?
- [A New Catholic Study Group!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/sign-up-for-the-catholic-study-group/) - A Catholic Study Group for adults is starting during Advent at the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Spiritual Center in Tamuning! Meetings will be held weekly on Monday evenings at 6:45 p.m., after the parish Mass, and the first meeting will be held on Monday, November 28, 2022. Each meeting will begin and end with
- [On the Curses of the Psalms](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-the-curses-of-the-psalms/) - We may be horrified when we first read the curses in the Book of Psalms. But do they have a spiritual sense that could help us?
- [On the Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-the-hardening-of-pharaohs-heart/) - "But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you;" Exodus 7:3-4a What do we make of these verses from the Book of Exodus? Did God take away the Pharaoh's free will? Did God force the Pharaoh to do evil?
- [Science and the Old Testament](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/science-and-the-old-testament/) - Is the Bible a science book? How should we react when we read things in the Bible that seem to contradict well established scientific facts? Let's see what St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas had to say about the matter. Three Principles Sometimes the words of the Old Testament seem to contradict good science. Let’s
- [Rahab, Spies, and Lies](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/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. In the Letter to the Hebrews we read: “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given friendly welcome to the spies.” Hebrews 11:31 In the Letter
- [On Violence in the Old Testament](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-violence-in-the-old-testament/) - The violence of the Old Testament is often cited in attacks on the Bible and the Faith. Here are four helpful perspectives on the violence involved in the Israelite’s conquest of Canaan, arguably the most egregious instances of violence portrayed in the Old Testament. Critics often cite what is called “the ban” or “herem” (pronounced
- ["If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother…"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/if-any-one-comes-to-me-and-does-not-hate-his-own-father-and-mother/) - Does Jesus require us to hate our own families? How could this be?
- [Unto the Third and the Fourth Generation](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/unto-the-third-and-the-fourth-generation/) - At least four passages of the Old Testament talk about God punishing the descendants of evil men down to the third and fourth generations. How could a loving God do this?
- [What did the Fathers Say?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/what-did-the-fathers-say/) - Learn about a great way to find out what some Church Fathers said about any given verse from the Sacred Scriptures.
- [One Flesh](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/one-flesh/) - A powerful marriage exhortation recently given at a wedding here.
- [Why Don't Catholics Worship on the Sabbath?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/why-dont-catholics-worship-on-the-sabbath/) - Wherein we defend the practice of Sunday worship in the Catholic Church against those that say that it is of the devil.
- ["But who do you say that I am?"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/but-who-do-you-say-that-i-am/) - Digging into the Gospel of Mark yields some amazing treasures!
- [Artistic or Pornographic? A Theological Analysis of Nude Art](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/artistic-or-pornographic-a-theological-analysis-of-nude-art/) - The vice of pornography is strangling the world today, but what about nude art, especially in sacred settings?
- [As a Prize of War](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/as-a-prize-of-war/) - We're on a spiritual battlefield, and if we're saved, it will be as a prize of war snatched from the enemy.
- [Three Common Objections to Purgatory](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/three-common-objections-to-purgatory/) - Purgatory is perhaps one of the more misunderstood doctrines by Non-Catholics and Catholics alike. Three common objections are raised by our Protestant brethren against this doctrine.
- [On False Prophets](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-false-prophets/) - The Book of Jeremiah gives us a clear picture of a false prophet, allowing us to identify them in our midst.
- [By the Waters of Babylon](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/by-the-waters-of-babylon/) - On the prophet Jeremiah's words to the Jews exiled to Babylon, and what those words might mean for us.
- [Six for Six](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/six-for-six/) - Where did the Church get the idea that what looks like bread and wine in the Eucharist is actually the Body and Blood of Jesus? Catholics can turn to the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John for the answers.
- [“What do you want me to do for you?”](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/what-do-you-want-me-to-do-for-you/) - A few weeks ago I found myself sharing breakfast with about a dozen other people at a diner in Vernon, Connecticut. We were reflecting on the Gospel reading for the thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the healing of Bartimaeus, the blind man (Mark 10:46-52). Here's the reading: "They came to Jericho. And as he was
- [Why Maccabees?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/why-maccabees/) - The Book of Second Maccabees tells of pious Jews praying for the dead, but did you also know that the book contains the most explicit affirmations in the Old Testament of Creatio ex Nihilo, the Intercession of the Saints and of the Resurrection of the Body?
- [Some Spit and Some Clay](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/some-spit-and-some-clay/) - Recently I had the opportunity to reflect a bit on the the story of Jesus healing the man born blind in 9th chapter of the Gospel of John. You might remember that's the story where Jesus and his disciples encounter a man blind from birth. Jesus spits on the ground and daubs the mixture of dirt
- [The Daughters of Zelo'phehad](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-daughters-of-zelophehad/) - In this post we’ll see how certain provisions of the Mosaic law prefigure a key principle of the Church’s Social Teaching, the Universal Destination of Goods. Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Catholic Doctrine states this principle quite succinctly: “Each human person is God’s creature and was intended by God to receive his necessary share of
- [Jesus and the Divine Name](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/jesus-and-the-divine-name/) - The Church noticed long ago that St. John remarkably captures Jesus using the phrase “I am”, either with a predicate noun or without, twenty-three times, almost twice as many times as the other three gospels combined, in any context.
- [Modern Polish Martyrs: Family To Be Beatified, Including Unborn Child](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/modern-polish-martyrs-family-to-be-beatified-including-unborn-child/) - A married Polish couple, who were killed with their children and unborn baby by the Nazis for hiding a Jewish family, will be declared worthy of veneration by the Catholic Church this year.
- [The Tent of Meeting](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-tent-of-meeting/) - Thirteen out of forty chapters of the Book of Exodus concern the “Tent of Meeting” and the ritual worship associated with it – that’s one third of the entire book!
- [Reflections on the Book of Job](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/reflections-on-the-book-of-job/) - For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! Job 19:25-27 RSV Even
- [Trials and Tribulations](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/why-does-god-allow-us-to-suffer/) - If God is good, why does He allow us to suffer trials and tribulations? This question ceased to be just an interesting intellectual puzzle for me after the tragic death of my son a few years ago. In the aftermath of his death, a good friend recommended that I read a one of C.S. Lewis'
- [Introducing the Thoughtful Catholic Podcast!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/introducing-the-thoughtful-catholic-podcast/) - The Thoughtful Catholic Podcast is a short form podcast that vigorously seeks the True, the Good and the Beautiful, making full use the two wings of the human spirit - faith and reason, and gifts drawn from the treasure house of the patrimony of the Catholic Church, including, but are not limited to, the Sacred
- [Gideon's Sword](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/gideons-sword/) - If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know that we’ve been slowly making our way through the Old Testament, following St. Augustine’s advice: …the New Testament lies hidden in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 129 We find ourselves in the
- [The Battle is the Lord's](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-battle-is-the-lords/) - At the conclusion of a recent Pro-Life conference in my diocese, I heard a participant say, “We really are a ragtag army, aren’t we?” Indeed. I was immediately reminded of Gideon’s army, which I've commented upon before. Gideon was called by an angel to deliver Israel from the power of Midian. He raised an
- [The Witch of Endor](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-witch-of-endor/) - King Saul was in dire straits. The army of the Philistines was encamped opposite to his army, and things looked hopeless to him. God seemed to have withdrawn his support from him because of his disobedience, and the king was unable to get any help or assurance from God. We read in 1 Samuel 28:6-7:
- [A Biblical Case for Clerical Celibacy](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-case-for-clerical-celibacy/) - Why does the Catholic Church require most of its priests to live a celibate life? While most of the Eastern Catholic churches allow married men to be ordained, priests of the Latin Rite must be celibate. In this post I’ll present a few thoughts to ponder from Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah
- [Ruth, Boaz, and the Coming of the King](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/ruth-boaz-and-the-coming-of-the-king/) - The short Book of Ruth offers a refreshing change after reading the dark book of Judges. It is a short book, with only four chapters, and can easily be read in a single sitting. The Book of Ruth opens with the newly widowed Naomi departing Moab for her home in Bethlehem. Her Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth
- [A Jealous God](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-jealous-god/) - Speaking of the false gods of their neighbors, God told Israel: You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,” Exodus 20:5 ESV
- [The Common Good](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-common-good/) - During the pandemic we often heard talk of actions taken for “the common good.” In this post we’ll take a look at what the Church has taught about this key principle of its social teaching. The most well known recent definition of the "common good" can be found in Gaudium et Spes, the Second
- [The Victory of Truth](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-victory-of-truth/) - Why should all men, Christian or not, be subject to a final judgment at the end of the world and upon being resurrected if they were already judged once before?
- [The gods of Canaan](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-gods-of-canaan/) - In the beginning of the Book of Judges we read: And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Ba′als and the Ash′taroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the
- [Forty Days](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/forty-days/) - Several years ago my brother Carl, a drummer, announced that he was forming a new band. When I asked him what he was going to name his new group, he said, “Forty Days.” “Hmm,” I replied, “How did you come up with that name?” He responded tersely, “It’s biblical.” I have always had an interest
- [The Fear of Isaac](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-fear-of-isaac/) - Isaac's terror on a mountain in Moriah gives his son Jacob a unique title for God.
- [Does "turn the other cheek" mean that Christians are to be doormats?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/does-jesus-require-total-passivity-in-response-to-evil/) - "But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" Mt. 5:39 By his words and example, did Jesus teach us to be completely passive in our personal encounters with evil? Most teachers of passivity purport to draw
- [The Bible alone? Part 1](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/why-not-the-bible-alone/) - Republished from the Catholic Evidence Guild of Guam: "For a Christian, the Bible should be our sole rule of faith - nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else." Perhaps you've heard a friend, co-worker or family member express this idea, and perhaps you were a bit confused about how to respond. The idea that the Bible
- [Melted Rosary Beads](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/melted-rosary-beads/) - My family and I traveled to Nagasaki, Japan last week, a few days after Pope Francis left. It was a pilgrimage of sorts, and our goals were twofold: to visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and the 26 Martyrs Shrine and Museum. We saw these melted rosary beads on the afternoon of our first day in
- [The Song of the Sword](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-song-of-the-sword/) - Lamech, the first polygamist mentioned in the Bible, makes his appearance in the fourth chapter of Genesis. If you’ve never heard of Lamech, it might be because this part of the Bible is not part of the Church’s cycle of readings. Nonetheless, this chapter of Genesis shows how men gradually forgot God as they developed
- [The Bible Alone? Part 2](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-bible-alone-part-2/) - In my last post, I wrote that the Bible alone was never meant to be our only rule of faith. I discussed the need to study both the Bible and the teachings of the Church Fathers who were entrusted to pass on to us the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. We called the oral
- [The Atheist's Love Problem](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-atheists-love-problem/) - Atheists have a problem with love. Specifically, their materialistic worldview prevents them from having a rational basis for loving in every instance, and this, I would think, would undermine their worldview. To see why, let me start by proposing a working definition of love, one that pertains specifically to loving others and one that might
- [A Minute for Life: How to respond to ad hominem arguments](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-minute-for-life-how-to-respond-to-ad-hominem-arguments/) - Welcome to a Minute for Life! About abortion, comedian Dave Chappelle says, “If you have a d##k, you need to shut the f### up on this one, seriously.” This is a classic example of an ad hominem argument, that is, an argument that is directed against the person rather than against the position they are
- [Do Catholics Worship Statues?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/do-catholics-worship-statues/) - When chatting with a lady recently, she identified herself as being “born again” and said that she had left the Catholic Church many years ago. I asked her, “Do you have any questions about particular Catholic beliefs?” She said, “As a matter of fact, I have a big problem with the Catholic Church: I don’t
- [What Does the Church Teach about Social Justice?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/what-does-the-church-teach-about-social-justice/) - With all the brouhaha surrounding Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, “The Joy of the Gospel”, especially his critique of capitalism, I thought it best to go back to the basics and learn about the fundamentals of Catholic Social Teaching. Just how should we apply the teachings of Jesus to the thorny and complex issues of social
- [A Minute for Life:  A woman has control over her own body...](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-minute-for-life/) - Have you ever been discussing abortion with a friend and they said, “I believe that a woman has the right to control her own body!”? How do you respond? Here's a response you can try next time:
- [The Oak Tree](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-oak-tree/) - There's a great temptation to think that the goal of any and all true renewal in the Church should be to return to the exact life and practice of the early Church. Even movements within the Catholic Church have fallen into this particular trap, which goes by the names of "Restorationism" and "Christian Primitivism."
- [Be saints. You weren’t made to fit in. You were born to stand out.](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/be-saints-you-werent-made-to-fit-in-you-were-born-to-stand-out/) - “Set yourselves apart from this corrupt generation,” the actor challenged those in attendance. “Be saints. You weren’t made to fit in. You were born to stand out.” Jim Caviezel , the Passion of the Christ star and veteran of numerous other film and television productions made a surprise appearance Wednesday evening at the SLS18 (Student Leadership Summit
- [Man Accuses Guam's Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Molesting Him As a Child](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/man-accuses-archbishop-anthony-apuron-of-molesting-him-as-a-child/) - http://pacificnewscenter.com/local/9354 Flanked by attorney David Lujan and his family members, Roy Taitague Quintanilla held a mini-press conference in front of the entrance to the Chancery office in Agana Heights, Guam. Guam – Roy Taitague Quintanilla is accusing Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting him 40 years ago…Quintanilla claims that Apuron was the pastor of the Mt.
- [Missionaries of Mercy](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/missionaries-of-mercy/) - Pope Francis has recently called for an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which will start on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2015 and end on the Feast of Christ the King, November 20, 2016. Click here to read the proclamation in Pope Francis's Apostolic Letter, "Misericordiae Vultus" (The Face of Mercy). It's very
- [A Layman's Defense of the Holy Trinity](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-laymans-defense-of-the-holy-trinity/) - Consider an infinitely deep well of life giving water. One can draw water from deeper and deeper in the well, but one will never plumb the depths of it. A doctrinal Mystery like the Holy Trinity is similar. One can grow in an intellectual and experiential understanding of such a mystery, but we will never,
- [Are married priests on the way?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/are-married-priests-on-the-way/) - From: By: Sandro Magister ROME, September 21, 2016 – Pope Francis received in audience a few days ago the Brazilian cardinal Cláudio Hummes, accompanied by the archbishop of Natal, Jaime Vieira Rocha. Hummes, 82, former archbishop of São Paulo and prefect of the Vatican congregation for the clergy, is today the president both of the
- [My Seventh Sister](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/seventh-sister/) - My little sister, actually my seventh sister, Colleen Patricia White, celebrated her 40th birthday this week. That would not usually be remarkable, except for the fact that Colleen is remarkable. Colleen, born within a year of the issuing of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade opinion, was born with Down Syndrome. Besides getting the extra
- [Breaking the Fangs of the Wicked](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/breaking-the-fangs-of-the-wicked/) - I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth. Job 29:16-17 Four decades ago, some men on Guam suffered terrible sexual abuse at the hands of a powerful churchman. For four decades, the men thought
- [Former Guam resident accuses archbishop of raping him](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/former-guam-resident-accuses-archbishop-of-raping-him/) - Walter Denton, a former resident of Agat, Guam, and a former altar boy for Archbishop Anthony Apuron, has accused the Archbishop of raping him when he was 8 years old. Part I Part II (the testimony of his wife)
- [Pope taps interim replacement for prelate facing abuse charges](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/pope-taps-interim-replacement-for-prelate-facing-abuse-charges/) - From John Allen's Crux blog: https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2016/06/06/pope-taps-interim-replacement-prelate-facing-abuse-charges/ Ines San Martin, June 6, 2016 In his latest effort to show resolve against clerical sexual abuse, Pope Francis on Monday appointed an apostolic administrator to take over the Church in Guam, where the island territory’s archbishop faces multiple allegations of abusing minors in the 1970s while he was a
- [SNAP's Joelle Casteix Weighs In](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/snaps-joelle-casteix-weighs-in/) - Joelle Casteix, the Western Regional Director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), called into Guam's K57 Radio station recently and said that Guam's situation is very unique for two reasons. Listen to her talk with host Patti Arroyo: The recent accusations of sexual abuse against Guam's Archbishop are unique for two
- [Vatican probes funding of cardinal’s lavish apartment](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/vatican-probes-funding-of-cardinals-lavish-apartment/) - I don't know about you, but I'm getting sick of the influence peddling in the Church and men in red hats on the take. Josephine McKenna | March 31, 2016, Religious News Service VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican has launched an investigation into the funding of its former secretary of state’s apartment restoration. The investigation
- [The Intrepid Luis Baza](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-intrepid-luis-baza/) - Here's a true story of a brave Chamorro man, Luis Baza, who successfully challenged a cruel and corrupt Spanish governor in court and won. The governor, Francisco Moscoso y Lara, was fined and banished from the Mariana islands forever. Baza's story, which reads like something out of a Zorro movie, was given to me by Carlos
- [Venus and Jupiter, in conjunction](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/venus-and-jupiter-in-conjunction/) - As seen from my home in Guam, Venus and Jupiter in a conjunction event in the western sky after sunset on June 30, 2015. Some say a similar event could explain the "Star of Bethlehem".
- [Is there intelligent life elsewhere in the galaxy?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-drake-equation/) - Is there intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe? The topic was in the news this week when astronomers at UC Berkeley and University of Hawaii released this report. These scientists say that about 20% of sun-like stars have earth-sized planets in their habitable zones, the zone where liquid water can exist on the surface of
- [Star Gazing for God](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/star-gazing-for-god/) - I've always been fascinated by science, especially astronomy, so when I encountered Psalm 19 in my morning prayer recently, it struck home: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there
- [Seven Gifts](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/seven-gifts/) - On Wednesday, June 11, 2014, Pope Francis concluded a series of talks he began in early April at his Wednesday General Audiences on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. While the Holy Spirit is certainly not limited to gracing us with only seven gifts - one recalls for example the many charismatic gifts of
- [Perspective Matters](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/perspective-matters/) - French mail carrier Ferdinand Cheval built his house, the Palaise Ideal (aka Fracteur Cheval), out of unusual stones he found on his daily mail route, and to honor his memory, artist Berhard Pras created this amazing sculpture: Perspective matters, right?
- [A Thing of Beauty](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-thing-of-beauty/) - The Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants last weekend, but not before the Giant's Odell Beckham Jr. made this "catch of the year". It was a thing of beauty... http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-york-giants/0ap3000000433606/Beckham-catches-worldwide-attention Here's an analytical break down of the catch: http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-york-giants/0ap3000000433900/Breaking-down-Odell-Beckham-s-catch
- [Christ in the Workplace](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/bringing-christ-into-the-workplace/) - I spotted this today on the cleaning cart of a lady on our maintenance staff at my place of work: Let's zoom in for a closer look: What a simple way to be reminded of our Lord throughout the day! And it shows in her work and in her gentleness.
- [A Visit to Yap](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-visit-to-yap/) - I was recently blessed with the opportunity to visit Yap, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia. In my search for "the true, the good, and the beautiful", Yap is solidly in the "beautiful" category. Yap is due east of the Philippines, between Guam and the Republic of Palau, as you
- [Reaching out to a...comet!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/reaching-out-to-a-comet/) - On November 12, 2014, the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe will attempt to put it's lander, called "Philae" onto the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. While mankind has put exploring craft on Mars and the moon, and sent craft to several other planets, it has never before landed on a comet. Here's a picture of the comet
- [On Christian Community and the Catholic Worker Movement](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-catholic-workers/) - My copy of the "Hartford Catholic Worker" arrived in the mail a few days ago, and its arrival reminded me of my time volunteering at a Catholic Worker community on Cass Avenue in St. Louis during my senior year of college and also brought back memories of my godfather, Carl Paulsen, who led a Catholic Worker
- [A Frank Discussion](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-frank-discussion/) - A response to an editorial in the Pacific Daily News, August 15, 2014: Community needs to have frank and honest discussion on suicide Thank you, Pacific Daily News, for bringing up the topic in the wake of Robin Williams's death and for your frankness. His death triggered quite a bit of strong feelings in me,
- ["It's All About Me"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/its-all-about-me/) - I've had a sneaking suspicion for many years that it was all about me, but I never was sure. Then I saw this sign: You see, it's the silly season here on Guam, i.e. the election campaign season, and both parties are out in force. My best friends will tell you that I am generally
- [Fearfully and Wonderfully Made](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/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 fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 Take a few minutes - less than five - view this video of a child developing in the womb.
- [An Attitude of Gratitude](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/an-attitude-of-gratitude/) - Check out this clip from a recent TED conference of Brother David Steindl-Rast, OSB, a Benedictine monk, giving tips on how to make the gentle power of gratitude permeate our lives. Bro. David's words resonated with me because I've discovered, in my own foggy way, that gratitude for the small things of life helps me to
- [Some good scriptural resources](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/hello-world/) - Online Bibles Latin Vulgate New American Bible New Jerusalem Bible Online Bible Search Engine Revised Standard Version Online World Wide Study Bible Scriptural Resources Online Bible Search Engine Reading the Word of God with the Church Readings and Psalms for the Month Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics
- [Things Visible and Invisible](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/things-visible-and-invisible/) - Thanks to microscopy, digital photography, and the Olympus BioScapes International Digital Imaging Competition, creation which was once invisible is now visible to us in stunning color and detail. The Olympus Bioscapes contest with its extraordinary images was initiated by Olympus, the camera company, in 2004. O LORD, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou
- [The Dance of the Moon](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-dance-of-the-moon/) - Here's a stunning view of NASA's Juno spacecraft heading toward earth, on its way to be "sling shot" toward Jupiter. The video, which shows the moon orbiting the earth in dramatic fashion, was composed of pictures sent back to earth by the spacecraft in October, and starts when the Juno was 966,000 kilometers from earth.
- [Some Advent Scandal](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/some-advent-scandal/) - Here's an Advent piece that I originally wrote for the Catholic Evidence Guild of Guam, which I've dusted it off a bit and shortened: How many times during Advents past have you heard that looooong list of names recited from the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew and wondered, "What's with that?" I'm talking
- [The Prayer of a Desperate Man: Some Psalms and a Bottle of Coke](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/some-psalms-and-a-bottle-of-coke/) - Last May, Harrison Okene, the Nigerian cook aboard the tug Jacson-4, was rescued from 30 meters below the Atlantic after spending almost three days in an air pocket aboard the ship which had overturned and capsized. His 11 fellow crew mates perished. I won’t repeat all the details here, but you can read the whole
- [Pope Francis's First Apostolic Exhortation](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/pope-franciss-first-apostolic-exhortation/) - Pope Francis has issued his first Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium ("Joy of the Gospel") and it seems to summarize the themes that he has publicly promoted since he took the Chair of Peter. "I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is
- [Ignatian Reflections from the Magis Center](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/ignatian-reflections-from-the-magis-center/) - Here's a great daily reflection, steeped in the spirituality of St. Ignatius, on the daily readings. Brief, but thoroughly trustworthy and orthodox. And produced by Jesuits! One can subscribe by clicking here. The Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality is an outreach of the Magis Institute, founded by Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J.. The Institute also sponsors
- [Healing the Culture:  The Four Levels of Happiness](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/healing-the-culture-the-four-levels-of-happiness/) - I was in my mother-in-law's car port a few weeks ago, and I could not help hearing the radio program she had on at the time. It was so riveting that I stopped what I was doing and I sat down to listen to the whole half hour of it. It turns out that Fr.
- [The Suscipe of St. Ignatius of Loyola](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-suscipe-of-st-ignatius-of-loyola/) - Here's another prayer that makes me uncomfortable - and that's a good thing. I'm starting to use it after receiving Holy Communion. Suscipe (St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus) Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, All I have and call my own. You have
- [The Black Marble](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-black-marble/) - You've heard of the "Blue Marble", that is, the majestic view of the earth from outer space. Well, here is the "Black Marble", the view of earth from the dark side. From NASA: This new global view and animation of Earth's city lights is a composite assembled from data acquired by the Suomi National Polar-orbiting
- [First Date, First Ordination](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/his-first-ordination/) - Here's a great story of a man whose first date with the woman he eventually married was the ordination of his best friend. It's inspiring, humorous and romantic all at the same time. The author, Brian Doyle, is the editor of Portland magazine, but the piece appears in the November 2013 edition of First Things, a
- [The Navarre Bible and Commentary](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-navarre-bible-and-commentary/) - I finally found a scriptural resource for daily meditation that has just the right mix of scholarship and devotion: The Navarre Bible. This text, published by Scepter Publishers, an outreach of the The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, footnotes just about every passage with not only historical notes and contextual information, but
- [Ender's Game and the Catholic Conscience](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/enders-game/) - From the Catholic News Service review of the movie, "Ender's Game": "...One plot feature concerning population control and a limit on the number of children families are permitted will trouble Catholic viewers...." No, they've got it wrong. Far too FEW Catholics are troubled by our society's animus against large families, and that's the problem. But
- [Our New Roku box and CatholicTV](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/catholictv/) - Good News out of Bawstun! Our new Roku 1 box arrived in the mail yesterday, and we rushed to set it up last night. A Roku box, if you don't already know, provides over a thousand TV and movie channels through the internet for viewing on your TV. We hardly ever watch TV, but we
- [Litany of Humility](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/litany-of-humility/) - This prayer, composed by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X, makes me squirm! That's probably because it hits the nail on the head. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being
- [Catechisms and Other Doctrinal References](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/post-4/) - Catechism of the Catholic Church (USCC) Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican) Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1914) The Roman Catechism (The Catechism of Trent)

## Pages

- [Kiko's Last Judgment](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-judgments/) - I recently found this picture of Kiko’s colorful fresco, “the Last Judgment”, which adorns a wall in the Neocatechumenal Way’s Domus Galilaeae palace in Israel: I found, to my surprise, that the work was not original, but was based upon a work that originated in the fifteenth or sixteenth century in the Russian Novgorod school of
- [A Critical Look at the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/against-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - Some Neocatechumenal Catechetical Directories ("Mamotretos") Pope Leo and the Neocatechumenal Way He Rose from Death - Song book of the Neocatechumenal Way for cantors. Cult or Sect? Are we dealing with a cult? - Thirteen signs of a cult-like organization. Charting the Cult-Like Nature of the Way - If we are ever to convince influential and
- [about](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/about/) - It's a bit risky to call this blog, "The Thoughtful Catholic", because people might think that I'm referring to myself. The truth is that I am, to borrow a phrase, a "muddle in need of a miracle", and hardly always Thoughtful with a capital "T". Nonetheless, I've decided to share my walk with anybody else
- [Neocatechumenal Catechetical Directories "Mamotretos"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/neocatechumenal-catechetical-directories-mamotretos/) - Volume I NCW-Catechetical-Directory-for-Teams-of-Catechists-1999-approved-2012-2Download orientations-for-the-team-of-catechists-for-the-conversion-phase-old-vol-1-3Download Volume II NEOCATECHUMENAL-WAY-GUIDELINES-The-Teams-of-Catechists-Vol-2_-Covivence_-FIRST-SCRUTINYDownload Volume III GUIDELINES-FOR-THE-TEAMS-OF-CATECHISTS-SHEMA-Vol.-3Download Volume IV GUIDELINES-FOR-THE-TEAMS-OF-CATECHISTS-FOR-THE-SECOND-BAPTISMAL-SCRUTINY-Vol.-4Download Volume VI 1625602962355_Direttorio-NC-Ed.-2001-Vol.-6-Traditio-Symboli_versione-digitale-corretta-revisionataDownload Approval of Catechetical Directory Approval of Catechetical DirectoryDownload
- [Kiko's Mud, Part II](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-mud-part-ii/) - Was Jesus a Mudslinger? By Lino Lista from Italy and Chuck White from Guam. A treasure trove of Kiko's secret catechisms has recently been found in Italy. This is quite a blessing because these secret documents give us more proof of the twisted interpretations of Scripture that form the foundation of the Neocatechumenal Way. Here is
- [Kiko's Mud, Part I](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/jesuss-clay-vs-kikos-mud/) - If you happen to find yourself in one of several Neocatechumenal "catechetical" sessions starting up on the island now, you'll soon be taught, perhaps in the first night, a very peculiar interpretation of the story of the healing of the blind man in the ninth chapter of the Gospel of John. The twisting of this
- [Kiko's Passover Problem, Part II](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-passover-problem-part-ii/) - In my previous post, “Kiko’s Passover Problem, Part I”, I showed that Kiko Arguello deforms the meaning of the Last Supper and Jesus’s death by stripping the sacrificial element out of the Jewish Passover of first century Palestine. This causes a problem for Kiko because Jesus considered himself to be the sacrificial Lamb of the New
- [Kiko's Passover Problem, Part I](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-passover-problem-part-i/) - The Jewish Passover looms large in Catholic theology of the Eucharist, and while it is very important in Kiko Arguello's religion too, he deforms it dangerously by ignoring a very key element. This deformation is disastrous for him, because if Kiko is wrong about the Passover celebrated by the Jews in first century Palestine, then
- [Catholic Book Club Resource Page - Church History in a Year](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/catholic-book-club-resource-page1/) - Catholic Church History in a Year Join the Catholic Book Club to study 45 exciting episodes in the History of the Catholic Church. "Church History in a Year" will commence soon and will meet monthly on a Saturday for breakfast at a local restaurant. Register your interest in joining by clicking here: Register your Interest
- [Church History in a Year - Detailed Plan](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/church-history-in-a-year-detailed-plan/) - Introduction - Why Study Church History? #1 Why Study Church History? (Video #1) What is the Church? p.13, 2.5 What is History? p.16, 1.5 Our Family History p.18, 1 The Importance of Learning Church History p. 19, 3.5 The Best Method of Learning Church History p.21, 2 The Beginning — Pentecost and the Spread of
- [Chamorro Prayers and Devotions](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/chamorro-prayers/) - Basic Prayers Sign of the Cross +Gi na’an i Tata, i Lahiña, yan i Espiritu Santo. Åmen. I Kredo (Creed)Manhongge yo as Yu’us Tata na toda-ha hanasina, na hanahuyong i langet yan i tano: yan as Jesukristo, guiya-ha Lahina as Saenata, ni i mamapotgenaihon pot finatinas yan grasian i Espiritu Santo; finanago nu i Bithen
- [Bishop Ballin's Angry Reply](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/bishop-ballins-hasty-reply/) - I recently sent a short message to the Catholic bishop of the Vicariate of Northern Arabia regarding Guam’s Fr. Luis Camacho. Fr. Camacho is from Guam, and was whisked from Guam one year ago after being caught by the Guam police while having sexual contact with his 17 year old altar girl in a car at
- [Bishop Ballin:  Fr. Luis Camacho Exonerated By Holy See!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/fr-luis-camacho-exonerated-by-holy-see/) - Bishop Camillo Ballin MCCJ of the Vicariate of Northern Arabia has published a letter dated June 25, 2016 saying that Fr. Luis has been exonerated by the Holy See! In his letter, Bishop Ballin says: that the accusations against Fr. Luis were "lies and calumnies" The Holy See was "forced" to conduct an inquiry The
- [Fr. Luis Camacho has been found!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/fr-luis-camacho-has-been-found/) - We've just discovered that our very own Fr. Luis Camacho will be running a 3-day retreat for the youth 13 years and older at the Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Qatar at the end of this month! See the announcement in the church's bulletin here, (or click on the images below to enlarge).
- [Trapped!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/trapped/) - Some seminarians and priests in the Neocatechumenal Way are indeed trapped. Here's a message I received two weeks ago from a Catholic in a Neocatechumenal parish in the United States: Our current parochial vicar, who they are calling a rebel because he is not participating fully with the pastor for a variety of reasons, and
- [Catholic Study Group Resource Page - Answering Tough Questions About the Faith](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/catholic-tracts/) - Join us in the Catholic Study Group every Monday night at 6:45 p.m. in the upper classroom of the St. Anthony Parish Spiritual Center in Tamuning to study the answers to 70 tough questions about the Faith. Our series will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024. Take a look at what we have in mind,
- [The Immaculate Conception and the Assumption](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-immaculate-conception-and-the-assumption/) - Here's a follow up of our meeting last night: the papal documents that defined the two dogmas discussed, an implicit acceptance by St. Jude of the assumption of Moses (thereby lending credence to the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and a post on the qualities of a resurrected body, which the
- [He Rose From Death](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/he-rose-from-death/) - Song book of the Neocatechumenal Way for cantors. Resucito!Download
- [Bible Translations](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/bible-translations/) - Bible Translations Guide A Brief History of the Latin Vulgate The Johannine Comma
- [Resucito!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/resucito/) - Click the links below to view and download the songbook for the Neocatechumenal Way: Resucito! (2003, English) Tags: Neocatecumenal, cantos, mp3, neocatechumenal songs
- [Charting the Cult-like Nature  of the Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/charting-the-cult-like-nature-of-the-way/) - If we are ever to convince influential churchmen that the Neocatechumenal Way is a cult or sect, we must be very precise and use prevailing, well-respected models of mind control to help us. One very good resource for this is Steven Hassan's "Combating Cult Mind Control." Hassan, a former cult member, has been a leading
- [What's Your Authority?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/whats-your-authority/) - The text at our Monday night study group meeting briefly surveyed the history of the development of the canon of the Bible - that is, how and when the Church decided what books were inspired and should be included in the Bible and which should not. Here is a more detailed but very readable account
- ["Do Not Resist Evil", Part II](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/do-not-resist-evil-part-ii/) - In "Do Not Resist Evil, Part I", I showed that Kiko commands his followers not to resist in any way whatsoever any evil or harm done to them. Women with drunken, violent and abusive husbands are told to allow themselves to be “crucified” by their husbands, and people who have had all of their possessions stolen are
- ["The Way Shows Signs of a Cult or Sect"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-way-shows-signs-of-a-cult-or-sect/) - Here's an Op Ed piece (letter to the editor that I recently wrote that was published in the Pacific Daily News on August 4, 2014. In it, I tried to highlight the most serious of the problems caused by the sectarianism of the Neocatechumenal Way on Guam. Click the link below to view and/or download:
- ["Preaching that alters the Gospels and darkens and saddens life."](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-preaching-that-alters-the-gospels-and-darkens-and-saddens-life/) - Kiko Arguello frequently twists and deforms the meaning the Sacred Scriptures in order to manipulate his followers and further his sectarian goals. We saw one example of this with Kiko’s interpretation of the story of the blind man in John 9, another in Kiko’s misinterpretation of the Jewish Passover, and yet another in his misuse of
- ["My experience with the Neocatechumenal Way"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/my-experience-with-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - I recently received this letter from Friedrich Griess, an Austrian Catholic and former president of the European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Cults and Sects (FECRIS), an organization created in 1994 in France which serves as an "umbrella organization for associations which defend victims of cultic excesses in more than 30 countries". In his
- ["Do Not Resist Evil."  Part I](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/do-not-resist-evil-part-i/) - Kiko Arguello is the master of the half-truth, and with few exceptions, he is very careful to avoid appearing to publicly contradict orthodox Catholic teaching. Here begins a series of posts on an egregious example of one such half-truth: the Neocatechumenal teaching, “Do not resist evil.” In this teaching, Kiko, unlike Christ and his
- [Kiko's Tabernacles](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/neo-kikos-tabernacles/) - Has one of Kiko Arguello's double decker tabernacles made it into your parish yet? While Catholics should not doubt that Jesus Christ is present among us when the Gospel is proclaimed in the Liturgy (CCC 1088), would it be proper for us to prostrate ourselves in front of the Book of the Gospels in worship?
- [Scripture and Tradition](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/scripture-and-tradition/) - The Bible Alone? Part I and Part 2
- [Papal Infallibility](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/papal-infallibility/) - Our text presented a definition from the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, but we can get a very concise definition straight from the 1st Vatican Council, which defined this dogma in its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Christ, Pastor aeternus: "...We teach and define as a divinely revealed dogma
- [Study Group Resources](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/study-group-resources/) - Prayers Opening and Closing Prayers Catechisms The Catechism of the Council of Trent (Roman Catechism) We’ll be using the version translated by John A. McHugh, OP and Charles J. Callan, OP. Why read the Roman Catechism? (LifeSiteNews.com) Here’s an example of how both the new and the old catechisms may be used in a complementary fashion
- [The Fifth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Kill.](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-fifth-commandment-thou-shalt-not-kill-2/) - "You shall not kill." Exodus 20:13 A Just War Four criteria of St. Augustine's Just War Doctrine enumerated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2309 The Problem of Suicide (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church) 2280 Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who
- [The Third Commandment: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-third-commandment-remember-the-sabbath-day-to-keep-it-holy/) - "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work." Exodus 20:8-10 The priest's traditional offertory prayer gave us one more reason to attend Mass on Sunday:
- [The First Commandment: I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-first-commandment-i-am-the-lord-your-god-you-shall-not-have-strange-gods-before-me/) - Did Catholics rewrite the 10 Commandments? Explaining the way Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants number the 10 Commandments. This topic came up in our discussion when discussing the veneration of saints: How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary From Schneider, Athanasius. Credo: Compendium of the Catholic Faith. Sophia Institute Press, 2023, by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, page
- [The Sacrament of Penance](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-sacrament-of-penance/) - The words, "I absolve you..." are essential! Rite of Penance Rediscovering the Rite of Penance - Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Is Judas in Hell? by Fr. Hugh Barbour O. Praem. Lighting Up is Not a Sin by Fr. Hugh Barbour O. Praem. The Sacrament of Penance as the "second
- [The Holy Eucharist](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-holy-eucharist/) - St. Justin Martyr, on the Eucharist St. Justin Martyr provided one of the earliest descriptions of the Mass in his First Apology, written between 153 and 155 A.D. See https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/contributors/st-justin-martyr-on-the-eucharist-and-the-ancient-mass/ On Mixing a Little Water with the Wine prior to the Consecration With joined hands, the priest moves to the Epistle corner. He takes the chalice by the
- [Judge not?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/judge-not/) - Thus sayeth the prophet Kiko: “It is useless to say: "Sacrifice yourself, be nice to each other, love each other." If someone tries to do so, he'll become the greatest Pharisee, because he will do everything for his own personal perfection and will judge others.” Kiko Arguello, Day 7, “the Kerygma”, p 129, Catechetical Directory,
- [The Sacrament of Confirmation](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-sacrament-of-confirmation/) - Scriptural Citations from the Roman Catechism: John 3:5 Acts 2:2-4 Acts 8:14-16 Luke 24:49 John 1:16 Ephesians 4:30 The Rite of Confirmation (Current) A Comparison with the Traditional Rite Go Back to the main Resource Page for the Catholic Study Group
- [The Sacrament of Baptism](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-sacrament-of-baptism/) - What happens to unbaptized babies? From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1261: As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus'
- [Article XI: "The Resurrection of the Body"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-xi-the-resurrection-of-the-body/) - On the Resurrected Body - the qualities and attributes of the resurrected bodies of both the just and the damned, according to St. Thomas Aquinas. Go Back to the main Resource Page for the Catholic Study Group
- [Article X:  The Forgiveness of Sins](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-x-the-forgiveness-of-sins/) - St. Maximilian Kolbe on Serious Sin - The Catholic Gentleman Fr. Richard Heilman: Come Home! Go to Confession - Roman Catholic Man Mortal and Venial Sins If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There
- [Article IX: I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/i-believe-in-the-holy-catholic-church-the-communion-of-saints/) - "Since all the faithful form one body, the good of each is communicated to the others. . . . We must therefore believe that there exists a communion of goods in the Church. But the most important member is Christ, since he is the head. . . . Therefore, the riches of Christ are communicated to all the members,
- [The Twisting of Sacred Scripture](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/twisted-scripture/) - Here is a list of some of the the most egregious instances of Kiko employing “eisegesis”, an interpretation of Scripture that expresses his own ideas and biases rather than the meaning of the text. In most of these cases, Kiko contradicts the interpretation of a Church Father. Jesus's Clay vs. Kiko's Mud (John 9), and
- [From Kiko's Traditio Symboli: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of evil."](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/46449-2/) - Here's more from the recently discovered secret catechisms, analyzed by "Beati pauperes spiritu" from the Osservatorio sul Cammino Neocatecumenale secondo verita blog. Related posts: Francesco Gennarini: "God sends cancer", and "Twisted Scripture". Let's continue reading together the 1982 edition of the volume "Traditio Symboli", because it is an authentic source from which we can continuously extract useful
- [Article VIII:  I Believe in the Holy Ghost](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-viii-i-believe-in-the-holy-ghost/) - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Two members of our group shared the prayers to the Holy Spirit that they wrote themselves and have prayed for many years: In a previous session we were reminded of the Novena to the Holy Spirit after reading about Pentecost on the tenth day after the Ascension. It's
- [Article VII: From Thence He Shall Come to Judge the Living and the Dead](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-vii-from-thence-he-shall-come-to-judge-the-living-and-the-dead/) - The Victory of Truth - Four reasons for the General Judgment provided by the Roman Catechism. What about the "Rapture"? See Catholic Answers: Answering the Rapture Challenge With respect to damnation, what about all the good deeds a person might have done. Don't those count? Yes, see Matthew 16:27, for instance: "For the Son of
- [Article V: He Descended into Hell, the Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-v-he-descended-into-hell-the-third-day-he-rose-again-from-the-dead/) - Jesus Descended into Hell "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited
- [Article VI: <strong>He Ascended into Heaven, Sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty</strong>](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-vi-he-ascended-into-heaven-sitteth-at-the-right-hand-of-god-the-father-almighty/) - We were reminded of the Novena to the Holy Spirit after reading about Pentecost on the tenth day after the Ascension. It's the first official novena and perhaps the only one in the Bible. http://www.traditionalcatholic.net/Tradition/Prayer/Holy_Ghost_Novena.html Go back to the main resource page for the Catholic Study Group
- [The Sixth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/sixth-commandment-thou-shalt-not-commit-adultery/) - The Catechism of the Catholic Church: on homosexuality 2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on
- [The Fifth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Kill](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-fifth-commandment-thou-shalt-not-kill/) - The Problem of Suicide - Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2280 Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are
- [Article IV: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was Crucified, Dead and Buried](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-iv-suffered-under-pontius-pilate-was-crucified-dead-and-buried/) - Speaking of crucifixion as a method of execution, the Roman Catechism says, "there certainly could be none more ignominious and humiliating." Catholic Answers: Cross or Torture Stake? The Suffering Servant of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 Go back to the main resource page for the Catholic Study Group
- [Article III:  Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-iii-who-was-conceived-by-the-holy-ghost-born-of-the-virgin-mary/) - "Types" of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Virginal Conception of Jesus mentioned in this article The Staff of Aaron - mentioned by St. Ephrem of Syria (d. 373 A.D.) in his "Hymns on the Nativity", Hymn 1 "The staff of Aaron, it budded, and the dry wood yielded fruit! Its mystery is cleared up
- [Article II - And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/article-ii-and-in-jesus-christ-his-only-son-our-lord/) - True God and True Man: The Hypostatic Union St. Agatho, from the dogmatic epistle of Agatho and the Roman Synod “Omnium bonorum spes” to the Emperors True God and True Man, from the Catechism of the Catholic Church Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, by Dr. Ludwig Ott: The Hypostatic Union The Proto-Evangelium Catechism of the Catholic
- [The Apostles' Creed, Article I](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-apostles-creed-article-i/) - "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth..." On God Contra Gentiles, by St. Thomas Aquinas The Holy Trinity Excerpt on the Holy Trinity from "Theology for Beginners" by F.J. Sheed, 1957. Sheed was a 20th century Catholic theologian, a prolific writer and founder of the Catholic Evidence Guild. Preface of
- [7th Petition - "Deliver us from evil"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/7th-petition-deliver-us-from-evil/) - Why does God allow evil? Providence and the Scandal of Evil, Catechism of the Catholic Church 309-324 St. Thomas Aquinas: Why does God does not exclude evil, contingency, free will, or chance. (Contra Gentiles, Book 3, 71-74) On Violence in the Old Testament Trials and Tribulations - a story of one man's encounter with evil
- [Preface of the Most Holy Trinity](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/preface-of-the-most-holy-trinity/)
- [Opening and Closing Prayers](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/opening-and-closing-prayers/) - Opening Prayer Come, Holy Ghost V. Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful;R. And kindle in them the fire of Thy love.V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created;R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let Us PrayO God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the Faithful by
- [Kiko, Inc.](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-incorporated/) - Kiko Arguello and the big business of the "New Aesthetic" I fully support the use of clever free enterprise to fund Catholic apostolates and religious communities. Catholic monks and nuns, for example, have been practicing "Ora et Labora" (Pray and Work) since St. Benedict established his Rule, and probably before that. Selling the fruits of
- [Finally, a review!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/finally-a-review/) - I was delighted to read in his recent pastoral letter that Archbishop Byrnes intends to appoint a priest delegate to review the Catechetical Directory of the Neocatechumenal Way. I don't know anywhere else in the world where a brave bishop has done this! This, despite the fact that the Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way specifically
- [On the abnormal approvals boasted of by the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/on-the-abnormal-approvals-boasted-by-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - The process by which the Statute and the Catechetical Directory of the Neocatechumenal Way were approved by the Holy See was fraught with significant deviations from the normal protocols. These abberations cast doubt on the integrity of the whole process and put the Church itself at great risk. Lino Lista, a prolific Italian critic of
- [Statute?  What statute?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-statute-what-statute/) - Carmen Hernández, co-founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, died on July 19, 2016, and the 2008 Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way states how the vacant position on the International Responsible Team of the Way will be filled: Article 34, § 2. After the death of one of the two initiators mentioned in the previous paragraph, the other
- [Carmen's Curious Cover](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/carmens-curious-cover/) - A colleague of ours in Italy has discovered something peculiar about the photo on the cover of a new book about Carmen Hernandez, the deceased foundress of the Neocatechumenal Way. It's been "photoshopped". If you've been observing the Neocatechumenal Way for some amount of time, you know that the Way is pushing hard to have Carmen
- [The Assumption According to Kiko](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-assumption-according-to-kiko/) - Kiko Argüello's 2017 Advent Announcement, given just a few days ago in Rome, arrived in my inbox today. It includes a blatantly heretical explanation of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: "...This is why in the icon of the Church of the East - which you can see up there - we see the Madonna
- [2017-18 Beginning of the Year Convivence](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/2017-18-beginning-of-the-year-convivence/) - The secret schema for the Neocatechumenal Way's 2017-18 Beginning of the Year Convivence just arrived in my inbox from a friend in Europe. This Convivence occurs annually at the sect's headquarters in Porto San Giorgio, Italy, and then is successively repeated throughout the world until the youngest of the Way's communities celebrate it. This year it
- [St. Carmen?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/st-carmen/) - Today, July 19, 2017, marks the first anniversary of the death of Carmen Hernandez, the co-founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, Kiko has already pronounced her to be a saint "of a superior category" and now the sect is now redoubling its efforts to get her canonized. Last month, on June 21, 2017, Kiko announced the
- [The Gospel without miracles](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-gospel-without-miracles/) - Kiko Argüello, who has been painting icons in the tradition of the Eastern Church for almost five decades, does not seem to have ever included even one of Christ’s miracles in his work. With the discovery of a trove of his secret catechisms in Italy, we now know why. I recently posted a piece about the
- [Hey Paolo!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/hey-paolo/) - Our friend Lorenzo in Italy had some questions about the Neocatechumenal Way's expensive property in Rome after reading Kiko's Lenten announcement asking for funds. He then initiated an interesting email exchange with Paolo Cometto, a Neocatechumenal super-catechist and member of the board of the Neocatechumenal foundation that owns the property. Translated into English from the
- [Of mud and pigs](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/of-mud-and-pigs/) - By Lino Lista Here I present the first part of a Scrutiny of the Traditio [Symboli] stage, excerpted from the secret catechism ("mamotreto") in use in the early years of the Way. The scrutiny [described here], concerning the mud and the blind man of John 9, which is the main theme of this [Traditio Symboli] stage
- [Kiko's Mud, Part 3:  "Kerygma Bullying"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-mud-part-3-insults-beating-and-shouting/) - Related Posts: Kiko's Mud, Part 1, Kiko's Mud, Part 2, the Second Scrutiny, and Taking a red pen to heresy. By Chuck White & Lino Lista A group of Catholics in Italy now possesses all of Kiko’s secret catechisms after the Second Scrutiny, including those from the Traditio to the Election stages, as well as
- [More gems from Kiko](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/more-gems-from-kiko/) - We've previously discussed Kiko Argüello's exhortation to his followers to "walk away from the parishes" if their pastors did not permit the Neocatechumenal Easter Vigil to be celebrated. There are several more gems to be found in his recent Easter Announcement, however. Here are a few more, many thanks to friends at the Osservatorio sul Cammino
- [Secrets of the Second Scrutiny Revealed, Part 5](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/secrets-of-the-second-scrutiny-revealed-part-5/) - You can not tell anyone who comes after you the deepest secrets of the Catechumenate. Besides, it would be useless and people would think that it is ridiculous. If the rumor gets around town that in order to enter these communities, one must sell what they own, then no one will come to the catechesis
- [Sprinting Toward Schism](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/sprinting-toward-schism/) - I found Kiko Argüello’s “Easter Announcement 2017” in my inbox this morning. Wow. He is exhorting his followers to celebrate the Easter Vigil liturgy in their homes! You can read the announcement in the original Italian here. Kiko disseminates these announcements before Lent and Easter every year, and this year, things must be going badly for
- [Trouble in Qatar](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/trouble-in-the-apostolic-vicariate-of-northern-arabia/) - Here's a report that we recently received from Northern Arabia, accompanied by a link to a video featuring Bishop Camillo Ballin, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia. See the video below. First, the report: 1) Bishop Ballin is directly responsible for what is going on in the Vicariate. 2) In the video, he states a
- [More gems from Kiko Argüello...and an opportunity](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-arguello-chosen-by-god-before-the-creation-of-the-universe/) - Kiko Argüello’s Lenten Announcement to the Neocatechumenal communities of the world arrived in my inbox the other day, and it has a few gems that I just have to share. Kiko uses most of the announcement to push the canonization of Carmen Hernandez, the co-founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, and he does not fail to aggrandize
- [God Makes No Demands!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/god-makes-no-demands/) - Take a few minutes to listen to Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut OCD, the lead Neocatechumenal catechist for Guam, praying with a room full of Neocatechumenal leaders. Shall we say a prayer? Courage. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. [Brothers say "Amen"] Father, we thank you and
- [The Fifth Night](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-fifth-night/) - If they are on schedule, tonight's Neocatechumenal catechesis at the Agana Cathedral Basilica will be entitled, "Who is God for you?" And if you find yourself there, you'll finally be asked to share! Kiko Arguello encourages his catechists to ask several questions during the fifth night of the initial catechesis. Questions such as: Do you
- [Problems with the Initial Catechesis of the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/initial-catechesis/) - The initial phase of catechesis in the Neocatechumenal Way (NCW) consists of fifteen catechetical sessions, followed by a weekend "Convivence" (from the Spanish, "convivencia", meaning "living together" or "coexistence") retreat where a new NCW community will be "born". These sessions, called "days" in the Catechetical Directory of the NCW, follow this schema: Here are
- [Outside the Circle](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/outside-the-circle/) - If they're following the original schedule, the Neocatechumenal Way should be presenting the fourth night of their initial catechesis at the Agana Cathedral Basilica tonight. In this particular session, a discerning participant will get her first taste of both the sectarian nature of the Neocatechumenal Way and the beginning of an effort to develop a
- [“Excuse me, may I ask a question?”](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/excuse-me-may-i-ask-a-question/) - A look at Kiko Arguello's antipathy toward natural religiosity. I’d like to give you some questions to ask the catechists if you find yourself in the third night of the initial catechesis of the Neocatechumenal Way. On that night, the presentation will turn to the topic of “Natural Religiosity” and “Adult Faith.” Kiko’s approach toward
- [Kiko's Virgins](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-virgins/) - In his 2015 book, "Il Fango e il Segreto" ("The Mud and the Secret") , Lino Lista points out yet another egregious example of Kiko Argüello's penchant for twisting Sacred Scripture for his own sectarian purposes. This time, it's a scriptural passage presented at the Neocatechumenal "Shema Convivence", which members undergo approximately one year after
- [Kiko's Trouble with the Trinity](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-trouble-with-the-trinity/) - On March 15, 2014, Fr. Angelo Veraldi, a Neocatechumenal seminary professor from Italy, instructed permanent deacon candidates in Guam that "Jesus became a sinner" and that he "experienced the forgiveness of the Father." This startling teaching launched me on a search for the foundations of this travesty in the teaching of the founder of the
- [Fr. Angelo Veraldi is back!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/fr-angelo-veraldi-is-back/) - Fr. Angelo "Jesus was a sinner" Veraldi is back. Back to Taiwan, if not Guam. You may remember Fr. Veraldi's now infamous lecture to our diaconate candidates on March 15, 2014. If not, listen to the very brief audio clip below to refresh your memory. We learned of Fr. Veraldi's foray into Taiwan through a
- [Diaconate Candidates taught: Jesus "became a sinner"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/diaconate-candidates-taught-jesus-became-a-sinner/) - Here is a post taken directly from Tim Rohr's JungleWatch blog. ( http://www.junglewatch.info/2014/09/diaconate-candidates-taught-jesus.html#comment-form) In the recording below, a theology professor, Fr. Angelo Veraldi, from Italy, instructs permanent deacon candidates in Guam that "Jesus became a sinner." This is no joke! A transcript of the recording follows. The following is a transcript of this recording [above]. You will
- [Kiko's Curious Cripta di Sant'Ilario](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-curious-cripta-di-santilario/) - Many of you probably know of Kiko Arguello’s "New Aesthetic", which is his attempt to impose his music, art, and architecture upon the Church. I’d like to take you on a short tour of a chapel in Rome, the Cripta di Sant'Ilario di Poitier (Crypt of Saint Hilary of Poitiers), which belongs to the Neocatechumenal
- [We've been judged!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/weve-been-judged/) - Early in 2006, on the eve of their departure to Guam to serve as Neocatechumenal missionaries, Enrico and Francesca Da Ponte were interviewed by Francesca Bellemo, a reporter for the Venetian Catholic website "Gente Veneta.it" (or here). When Bellemo asked, "What challenges await you?”, Enrico replied, “First of all it is a perpetually hot and humid
- [Trouble in Hong Kong](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/trouble-in-hong-kong/) - It seems that the Neocatechumenal Way has caused not a small amount of trouble in Hong Kong. Are you surprised? Here's something I found on USCA News, "Asia's most trusted independent Catholic news source": Bishops Ask Parish Priests To Accept New Church Movements China, November 17 2008 The two bishops of Hong Kong have asked their
- [Hechos que debe saber sobre...](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/hechos-que-debe-saber-sobre/) - En Español: In English: Cult or Sect? Are we dealing with a cult? - Thirteen signs of a cult-like organization. Charting the Cult-Like Nature of the Way - If we are ever to convince influential and possibly compromised churchmen that the Neocatechumenal Way is a cult or sect, we must be very precise and use prevailing,
- [From the Philippines:  "I think it is about time for the church to see these things."](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/from-the-philippines-i-think-it-is-about-time-for-the-church-to-see-these-things/) - Faithful Catholics in the Philippines experience the same problems with "the Way" that we have in Guam. A man from that country shared his heartbreaking story with me the other day...: Thanks for posting this article. I am from the neo-communities of XXXXXX. I have been in the way for more than 15
- [Taking a red pen to heresy](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/taking-a-red-pen-to-heresy/) - Somebody in the Vatican must have went to work with their red pen on the original version of the Neocatechumenal Way's Catechetical Directory prior to its "approval". While we have discussed the abnormal approval of the Neocatechumenal Statute and Catechetical Directory before, here is an example1 of one grave error, among many, that was cut out of
- [Kiko's New Book, Part I](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-arguellos-new-book/) - I've obtained a copy of Kiko Argüello’s new book, published just in time to be scooped up by his followers at their recent "Beginning of the Year" convivences. The book is a diary of sorts and is composed of 504 numbered entries. Argüello writes: "For almost thirty years, I have been writing in notebooks, in a
- [La Riqueza de la Familia Hernández Barrera](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/la-riqueza-de-la-familia-hernandez-barrera/) - Carmen Hernandez Barrera, the founderess of the Neocatechumenal Way, is a member of one of the wealthiest families in Spain. She jointly owns land with her wealthy siblings, and at least one of her siblings has donated a sizable amount of money to a foundation controlled by Carmen and Kiko. Here's the proof. First, the
- [Kiko's Abraham:  A Failure and Idolater](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-abraham-a-father-and-a-failure/) - If you ever find yourself attending the 12th night of the initial catechesis of the Neocatechumenal Way, you’ll hear the catechists say some remarkable things about Abraham, our father in faith. The insidious pressure to consider yourself to be a “failure” and an “idolater” begins on that night. Here are some samples of Kiko Arguello’s
- [Manic Michelle](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/maniacal-michelle/) - A comment appeared on the Concerned Catholics of Guam web site a few months ago which just had to be shared here. Michelle Beaune writes from Ontario, Canada, the home territory of our beloved Fr. Pius, the (former?) ArchNeoCatechist for Guam. Some readers will remember Michelle commenting on a post on this blog, saying that she longed
- [Catholic Saints](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/catholic-saints/) - Looking for Information about a Catholic Saint? Check these resources out: Catholic Online Saint of the Day EWTN's Saints Site The Medievalist's Saint's Site CatholicSaints.info Butler's Lives of the Saints
- [Rene Girard and the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-and-rene-girard/) - The Xiphias Gladius Project: Details about the team of Neocatechumenal academics teaching the thought of Rene Girard at Redemptoris Mater seminaries around the world. Contaminado! - A close look at the mission statement of the Xiphias Gladius project team. Covering His Tracks - A Neocatechumenal professor's attempt to remove his outrageous writing from the internet doesn't quite
- [Thus saith the prophet Kiko](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/verily-the-prophet-kiko-hath-spoken/) - Thus saith the prophet Kiko, in his sacred tome, "Orientamenti alle Equipe dei Catechisti per la Fase di Conversione" ("Guidelines for Teams of Catechists for the Phase of Conversion"), hearkening unto the whispers of the holy and obedient St. Carmen: Christians have no altars, priests, or sacred places. Nel Cristianesimo non c'è tempio, nè altare,
- [Trouble in Australia!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/trouble-in-australia/) - Here's some shocking news out of Australia, folks. The Neocatechumenal Way has had some problems with indigenous people! Are you surprised? In this case, a recent letter that I received from a Catholic gentleman in Australia provides an update on the current status of a parish that was taken over by "the Way" over a
- [Kiko's Menorahs](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-menorahs/) - To many Catholics, the Neocatechumenal practice of substituting something that looks like a Jewish menorah for a crucifix on their "altar" is irksome. Why do they do this? Is there a hidden reason? Daniel Lipschitz, a Jewish convert to the Catholic faith and former itinerant catechist for the Neocatechumenal Way, once challenged Kiko about the use
- [Faux Judiasm](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/faux-judiasm/) - Kiko Arguello's Neocatechumenal Way has adopted a "faux Judaism", and here is a critical look at the issue: Kiko's Passover Problem, Part I Kiko's Kleromancy: the Merkabah! Kiko's Menorahs
- [An Ex-Catechist Tells All!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/an-ex-catechist-tells-all/) - I recently received an interesting message from Daniel Lifschitz, a prolific artist and Jewish convert to Catholicism and an early itinerant catechist for “the Way”. He sent me a draft of a chapter of his soon to be published book, which is a goldmine of information about the early days of the sect. Daniel converted to
- [Kiko's Controversial Cathedral](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-controversial-cathedral/) - Will Kiko Arguello's new Catholic cathedral in Northern Arabia, to be built amid growing sectarian violence in Bahrain, become a large target for violent groups in the region? Or more importantly, will the Catholic Church in Northern Arabia be known more for its cathedral than for its charity? Bishop Camillo Ballin of the Vicariate of
- [The Bishops get a letter](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-bishops-get-a-letter/) - Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Holy See's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, recently wrote a letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church regarding the "New Movements" in the Church. The letter, entitled “Iuvenescit Ecclesia” ("The Church Rejuvenates"), and approved by Pope Francis, discusses the relationship and tension between the hierarchical and
- [A Case Like Ours!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-case-like-ours/) - Thanks to Viennese Catholic activist Friedrich Griess and Italian Catholic blogger Sandavi, I've learned that there was another case of episcopal abuse that was startlingly similar to our case in Guam. A Cardinal Archbishop is accused of sexual molestation by former students at an all-male Catholic high school. He vehemently denied the accusations, calling them "defamatory
- [Sin, Grace, and the Neocatechumenal Way](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/sin-grace-and-the-neocatechumenal-way/) - I recently engaged in an exchange of email messages with a lady who I'll call "A", a woman originally from Colorado who had been a member of the Neocatechumenal Way for 15 years. While our discussion was wide-ranging, at one point I asked her a question about the Last Things which eventually led her to reveal
- [Francesco Gennarini:  "Cancer is sent by God."](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/francesco-gennarini-cancer-is-sent-by-god/) - You may remember Francesco Gennarini, the son of Neocatechumenal super-catechist Giuseppe Gennarini and one of the two architects who received tens of thousands of dollars for the design of two Neocatechumenal buildings here on Guam that never got built. Well, Francesco, we have learned, is not only an architect, but also a Neocatechumenal catechist like
- [The Doctrine of the Necessary Judas](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/judas-is-saved/) - Kiko Arguello inserts a "catechetical message" into each of his significant works of art, and this icon found in the “Catechumenary” of "La Parroquia Del Transito", in Madrid, Spain is no exception: Do you notice anything strange or peculiar about it? No? We’ll come back to the picture in a minute, but let's first discuss one of
- [Cult.  Sect.](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/cult-sect/) - Last week, Margaret, a Catholic from a Neocatechumenal parish in the southern United States, posted some comments on one of my posts on the Neocatechumenal Second Scrutiny. Margaret MAY 23, 2016 AT 6:26 PM I can tell you the questions my catechist asked me, they asked if I had sold all of my belongings like
- [Trouble in New Jersey!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/trouble-in-new-jersey/) - We're not alone, Guam! A major newspaper in New Jersey is reporting troubles with the Neocatechumenal Way there too. Reprinted from The Record, May 28, 2016: New vision leaves some Catholic parishioners feeling adrift By Jeff Green, Staff Writer, The Record Virginia Barker has been a regular at Church of the Assumption in Emerson since
- [Nowhere...](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/nowhere/) - There certainly is a need for post-baptismal catechesis in the Church today, that is, a catechesis for adults that promotes conversion and "metanoia", the ongoing change of heart experienced by a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Indeed, this was called for by the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council . Furthermore, you may call this catechesis
- [Kiko's Kleromancy: the Merkaba](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-kleromancy-the-merkaba/) - A significant cause for the troubles which Guam experiences with its Neocatechumenal seminarians and missionaries is the method of discernment, or I should say, method of divination, used to determine the destination of these seminarians and missionary families. Merkaba. The word, meaning "chariot" in Hebrew, connotes both the ritual lottery that decides where Neocatechumenal seminarians and
- [Another Letter to a Bishop](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/another-letter-to-another-bishop/) - I recently received a copy of a letter from a Catholic in another country to his bishop regarding the "spiritual violence and extortion" that he experienced at a Neocatechumenal convivence I have X'd out certain details that would identify him, pursuant to his request. The man provided his letter after first explaining to me the
- [Professor Giuseppe Gennarini!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/giuseppe-gennarini-marxist/) - Did you know that Giuseppe Gennarini, the Neocatechumenal Super-Catechist, wrote a book based upon lectures he gave at our very own Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Guam? How exciting! Gennarini's book, “Gnosis y Teologia Politica,” ("Gnosis and Political Theology") is written in Spanish, even if his original lectures at the seminary were delivered in English. While
- ["I've been a forced member of this cult for 10 years"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/ive-been-a-forced-member-of-this-cult-for-10-years/) - Here’s some testimony against “the Way” that I compiled from messages that were recently sent to me by a young lady I’ll call “M”. She asked that I mask her name and location, but I can say that she's from a country somewhere in the southern hemisphere. I've been a forced member of this cult
- [Sect or Cult?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/sect-or-cult/) - Cult or Sect? Are we dealing with a cult? - Thirteen signs of a cult-like organization. Charting the Cult-like Nature of the Way - If we are ever to convince influential and possibly compromised churchmen that the Neocatechumenal Way is a cult or sect, we must be very precise and use prevailing, well-respected models of mind control
- [Kiko's Husband Revealed!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-husband/) - Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, does not have a husband. He does, however, have a stereotype of a husband in his head, which he consistently presents to his followers and the Church. This stereotype is that of a husband who neglects his wife, often in a drunken rage, beats her. To see this stereotype in Kiko’s
- [Kiko's Misogyny](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-misogyny/) - "Do not resist evil." Part II - we see Kiko urging wives of violent and abusive men to allow themselves to be "crucified" by their husbands. Kiko's Wife - an investigation into the stereotype of a wife held by Kiko.
- [Kiko's Wife](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-wife/) - “This is why all human relationships are based on violence, the violence of one who forces the other to fulfill the law and vice versa.” Kiko Arguello, Neocatechumenal Catechetical Directory, Vol. I, p. 129, 7th Day Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, does not have a wife. Perish the thought. He does, however, have
- [Total Submission?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/total-submission/) - Ding! Ding! Ding! And we have a winner here at The Thoughtful Catholic in our Comment of the Day contest! Congratulations to Adebiyi Ayorinde, from Lagos, Nigeria, an avid follower of Kiko Arguello, for his winning comment to my recent blog post, "Do Not Resist Evil", Part II. Today's winning comment gets turned into a post of its
- [Report of the Rabbis](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/report-of-the-rabbis/) - In early May, 2015, Kiko Arguello provided 120 Jewish rabbis from around the world with free trips to Israel to meet with many Catholic bishops and cardinals at a special "convivence". Two American rabbis at the meeting were outspoken about the disturbing cult of personality surrounding Mr. Arguello, and one lamented the hiding of crucifixes
- [Kiko's K](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/k-is-for-kiko/) - I've noticed something peculiar about how Kiko Arguello sometimes signs his artwork and paintings. Most of the time, his signature is unremarkable, like this: But on occasion, he starts to do something funky with the letter K in his name. You can see some examples here: Notice the "X" feature he introduces into his
- [Fr. Pius:  "I hope no one is recording this."](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/fr-pius-i-hope-no-one-is-recording-this/) - Fr. Pius Sammut OCD, the ArchNeoCatechist for Guam, expresses his opinion about blogs critical of the Neocatechumenal Way, and more: You know, when I was a young man, I used to like young women. I mean I was a young man. Suppose now I like old women, I don't know what I like. [brothers laugh]
- [St. Kiko!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/whats-da-buzz-st-kiko/) - He's not just a prophet anymore...Italian Catholic journalist and blogger Constanza Miriano posted this on Facebook: "Happy Birthday to Kiko, a saint, that is, one who has realized that without God we can do nothing, a branch of the Vine." ...but a saint too! And without all the pesky paperwork, investigations, and miracles! Ms. Miriano is
- [Does God Care?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/does-god-care/) - An End of Year message from Kiko Arguello has recently appeared on several pro-Neocatechumenal web sites and Facebook pages. Click here, or here, or here to read it in the original Spanish. As you would imagine, his message, though passionate, is not without some serious problems, which I will address below. But first, the message:
- [Sweet Marianas!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/sweet-mariana/) - Sweet Marianas! "Marianas Pacific", that is. This thoughtful young lady -ahem- left a wonderful review of Fr. Pius Sammut's book, "Giant Surrounded by Monkeys" on Amazon.com way back in May 2012. Take a look: "Fr. Pius's words of wisdom are up there with St. Paul's." It must be hard to stay humble when your words
- [Kiko's "Gospel of the Wretched"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-gospel-of-the-wretched/) - Decent women, daily Mass goers, teetotalers, priests, and theologians: be warned: You are the problem! At least, that's Kiko Arguello's message in his manifesto, "The Gospel of the Wretched". click here to view and download PDF ---> The Gospel of the Wretched Kiko wrote this manic piece in 1967, three years after the founding of
- ["You're shit, but God loves you."](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/youre-shit-but-god-loves-you/) - I recently asked an ex-member of the Way, "LaPaz", to share some of the phrases and expressions she often heard while walking. Many of the phrases she reported must surely come directly from the Neo Scrutinies: "God loves me as I am." God surely loves me, but we heard seminarian Gabriel Camacho add the "as
- [Kiko Forbids the "Horrors of the Computers"!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-forbids-the-horrors-of-the-computers/) - The Neocatechumenal blog "Kairos" reports, as do others, that Kiko Arguello forbid members to use social media ("YouTube and all these things") at the Convivenza di Inizio Corso ("Beginning of the Year Convivence") ,held in Porto San Giorgio, Italy, from September 17-20, 2015. The Porto San Giorgio convivence is the beginning of a series of convivences
- [Get your parish Kiko-fied!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/get-your-parish-kiko-fied/) - As the Neocatechumenal Way becomes more established in your parish, many of you are undoubtedly very eager to expedite the adoption of Kiko Arguello's New Aesthetic into your parish's church building. Let me suggest some steps you should take to accomplish this. First, as quickly as you can, get yourself a copy of “Spazi Celebrativi,
- [Kiko's "New Aesthetic"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-new-aesthetic/) - Kiko's "New Aesthetic" Kiko's Icons - It is common for painters of icons to copy the work of the great masters of the past, and Kiko Arguello is no exception... Coming to a Parish Near You! - Kiko's Neo-Byzantine art and his curious "Buen Pastor" icon. Kiko's Curious Cripta di Sant'Ilario - Let's take a look
- [The Neocatechumenal Scrutinies](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-scrutinies/) - The First Scrutiny Scrutinizing a Scrutiny: A critical look at the Neocatechumenal Way's First Baptismal Convivence Is your Family your idol? - At the Neocatechumenal First Scrutiny, you will certainly be pressured to consider this possibility. The Second Scrutiny Secrets of the Second Scrutiny Revealed, Part 1 - an outline of the Neocatechumenal Second Scrutiny Convivence and the
- [Secrets of the Second Scrutiny Revealed, Part 3](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/secrets-of-the-second-scrutiny-revealed-part-3/) - “Therefore I tell you not to be afraid before this scrutiny, because we are sent here by Jesus Christ to help free you from your demons.” Kiko Arguello[1] When we left off at the end of my last post, Part 2, the members had finished sharing their written questionnaires in small groups and the individual
- [Kiko Arguello, "the Prophet of our time"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/stefano-gennarinis-prophet/) - Apart from certain biblical persons, the Church refrains from bestowing the title "prophet" on even the holiest of its members. One possible reason for this is to avoid the creation of a competing "magisterium" or teaching authority that could cause confusion among the faithful. While the Church does not bestow this title, several contemporary
- [Kiko and the Twelve](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-and-the-12-apostles/) - One bright, sunny day in the early seventies, the leaders of the Way, Kiko, Carmen, and Fr. Mario, brought 12 brothers to Mt. Sinai for a photo op. [click to enlarge] It must have been quite an exciting day for the Twelve! I wonder, though, did any any of them argue over who was the
- [Secrets of the Second Scrutiny Revealed, Part 6](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/secrets-of-the-second-scrutiny-revealed-part-6/) - But there is one thing that I was telling you before: that now, in the Neocatechumenal Way, you have to give the first fruits and the tenth [tithe]. This fact is already present in the commandments of the Church. Kiko Arguello, Catechetical Directory, Vol. 4 In Part 5 of this series, I mentioned that the second
- [The Xiphias Gladius Project](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-xiphias-gladius-project/) - The Xiphias Gladius Project. It sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but it's not. "Xiphias Gladius", a phrase taken from the Greek and Latin words for "sword", is the name of a team of Neocatechumenal academics dedicated to researching and teaching the theories of Rene Girard, a French-born American academic. Girard is famous for
- [¡Contaminado!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/contaminated/) - Would you be shocked to hear that seminarians at our Redemptoris Mater seminary were being taught that Christianity has been "contaminated" by archaic religious systems? Don't be. It's a deeply held belief of men who have taught at the seminary here and they have committed themselves to teaching it. Let me explain. I recently posted
- [Secrets of the Second Scrutiny Revealed, Part 4](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/secrets-of-the-second-scrutiny-revealed-part-4/) - “Now we will read the records of the spoil that we have ripped from the idols in the victory over the demons. When Israel ends a battle, she picks up the loot, right?” So are we. That booty is for the poor, and is the money that the selfishness had taken from the poor.” Kiko
- [Poor Natasha.](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/poor-natasha/) - Poor Natasha. She gets grilled by Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut O.C.D. when she stands up to introduce her Neocatechumenal community from Inarajan, Guam. Her sin? Her husband Chris, who also serves as a "responsible" for her community, was absent from the Convivence because he had to work that day. You see, Fr. Pius only offers
- [Secrets of the Second Scrutiny Revealed, Part I](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/secrets-of-the-second-scrutiny-revealed-part-i/) - With this post I will begin to lay out the details and secrets (yes, secrets) of the Neocatechumenal Way's Second Baptismal Scrutiny and its associated "rites". The Second Scrutiny starts with a weekend "Convivence" or retreat, and ends, for those that pass the Scrutiny, several weeks later with the Rite of Entrance into the
- [Secrets of the Second Scrutiny Revealed, Part 2](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/secrets-of-the-second-scrutiny-revealed-part-2/) - After at least four years of walking in the Way, two years after their first Scrutiny, and on the eve of their second Scrutiny, Kiko and his catechists still treat their community members as if they are infested with demons. When introducing the written questionnaire that will serve to prepare the brothers for their “individual
- [Scrutinizing the First Scrutiny, Part II](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-idols/) - Is your family an idol? The world is full of many, many things that could potentially take the place of God in our lives, and it certainly behooves us to be on guard against these idols. However, the Neocatechumenal Way's First Baptismal Scrutiny Convivence, in classic sectarian fashion, places an inordinate emphasis on the notion
- [Scrutinizing the First Scrutiny, Part I](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/scrutinizing-a-scrutiny/) - Scrutinizing a Scrutiny: A Critical Look at the NeoCatechumenal Way's First Baptismal Scrutiny Convivence If you’ve been in the Neocatechumenal Way for two years, you’ll likely attend a convivence (weekend retreat) with your community called the “First Baptismal Scrutiny”. This “First Scrutiny”, usually held after two years or so, marks the end of the “precatechumate”
- [Spotlight on Fr. Pius Sammut O.C.D.](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-catechist-speaks/) - For the last 18 years, Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut O.C.D., the lead catechist of the Neocatechumenal Way in Micronesia, has been carefully building the sectarian wall of division in the Archdiocese of Agana, brick by brick. "Come and listen" to Fr. Pius as he does what he does best… "You have always obeyed us..." - listen
- [Kiko's Fairy Tale](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-fairy-tale/) - Kiko Arguello, when explaining his Neocatechumenal Way to a meeting of Capuchin Friars in Krakow, Poland in 2011, was heard to say: "We are with the Church, with the Pope, but slowly, slowly. You know when we give the Rosary in the Way? After twelve years we give the Rosary. If we give it before
- [Trouble in Denmark!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/trouble-in-denmark/) - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Copenhagen covers the whole country of Denmark and includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland. It is one of the largest Catholic dioceses by area in the world. It turns out that, like Guam, the Catholic faithful in that diocese are suffering from the devastation wrought by the Neocatechumenal Way. Click here or here to
- [A Neo Seminary Professor's View of Chamorro Prayers for the Dead](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-neo-seminary-professors-view-of-chamorro-prayers-for-the-dead/) - Since I posted a piece on the Neo's Xiphias Gladius team last week, somebody showed me a document from one of the team members, David Atienza de Fruto. Click here to see a draft communication (in English) he prepared for the Round Table on Suicide in Guam and Micronesia, held at the Blessed Diego Luis de
- [An Academic Hack](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/an-academic-hack/) - Suppose an anthropologist, presumably an expert in the study of Chamorro culture and history, published an article on contemporary funeral practices on Guam in a respected, peer-reviewed academic journal. And suppose the expert claimed, when describing a typical contemporary Chamorro Catholic funeral in that article, said: ...the casket is not closed until the end of the
- [Kiko, are you listening?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-arguello-are-you-listening/) - Pope Francis recently laid down some powerful principles of authentic renewal in a message that Kiko Arguello should really heed. In a address to members of the Charismatic Renewal in Italy on July 3, 2015, the Pope said that true unity is not uniformity and that a unity in diversity must be maintained. No renewal leader
- [In his own words](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/in-his-own-words/) - Another recording has been smuggled out of the castle! Listen to Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut OCD, the lead Neocatechumenal catechist for Guam, Saipan, and Hawaii, muse about his eternal destiny: This is the new team which will be, you know, which will be catechizing here, which will be helping you here, okay, until uh, until uh
- [Kiko and Purgatory](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/critiquing-kikos-kerygma/) - Kiko Arguello’s theology is a morass of half-truths, and here is another example. In this case it involves the “last things”, and specifically, purgatory. Let’s check out what Kiko Arguello says in this catechesis taken from the first volume of the Neocatechumenal Way’s Catechetical Directory: "For the person who believes in Jesus Christ, death is
- [Kiko and Judas](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-and-judas/) - "Finally, there is a third circle, a third group of brothers and sisters, those who live a lie, who have always lied to themselves. They are those in whom Satan acts, enslaving them. Not necessarily because they are wicked, or due to any fault of their own, but perhaps for some reason or other that
- [Kiko's Mullets](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kiko-tells-us-why-he-needs-girls-for-china/) - During a rally in Naples in 2012, and immediately prior to calling on girls to volunteer to go to China to evangelize, Kiko Arguello made these outrageous remarks: "Do you think that in China, which at the moment is killing the girls, missing fifty million women, at this time in China, with the disaster of
- [A Church In Trouble](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-church-in-trouble/) - In case you missed it, here's the Marianas Variety cover story of Sunday, April 12, 2015: Click here --> "A Church in Trouble: Can the Embattled Church Save Itself?" The story, written by Jasmine Stole, is accurate, except in one respect: it makes no mention of the cause of the trouble, the sectarian actions of
- [Half-baked Priests for Asia, Continued...](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/half-baked-priests-for-asia-continued/) - Jacob Caballero, a member of the Neocatechumenal Way from the Philippines recently responded to my post, "Half-baked Priests for Asia?", with a comment of his own. In my original post, I revealed Kiko's plan to have young men ordained to be missionary priests for China after only five years of training and without the benefit
- [Poll: Establishment of Parish-based Non-Profit Corporations to Fund Parish Needs](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/poll/) - [yop_poll id="1"] If you don't see the poll question it is because a vote was cast from this computer already.
- [Dear Archbishop Cordileone](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/where-is-fr-john/) - January 31, 2015 Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone Archbishop of San Francisco One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, California 94109 info@sfarchdiocese.org Your Excellency, Catholics on Guam learned in July of last year that you had revoked the priestly faculties of Fr. John Howard Wadeson, a priest incardinated here on Guam but serving in San Francisco.
- [This Spells Trouble](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-neocatechumenal-testimony/) - Earlier this year, a Neocatechumenal seminarian, Gabriel Camacho, gave this "testimony" at the end of a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica in Guam. Listen to it, or read the transcript, and then we'll discuss some worrying problems with it. (see full transcript below) I have five problems with Camacho's testimony: 1) Camacho says, "I don't know
- [Twisting the Truth](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/why-the-way-will-fail-in-asia/) - or "Why 'the Way' will fail in Asia" Another recording has been secretly smuggled out of the castle...Listen to what Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut O.C.D, the lead catechist for "the Way" in Guam, and another speaker told members during their recent "Beginning of the Year" Convivence in Guam about the Way's troubles in Japan. (click on
- [Giuseppe's Islands](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/giuseppes-islands/) - Guam is not the only island under the purview of Giuseppe Gennarini, the chief Neocatechumenal catechist for the United States. Mr. Gennarini's influence, as it turns out, extends to another island territory on the other side of the globe, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in the British West Indies. The Neocatechumenal Way, out of
- [Half-baked Priests for Asia?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/half-baked-priests-for-asia/) - Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut O.C.D. recently explained Kiko Arguello's brilliant idea of ordaining young men priests for missions in China after only five years of training and without the benefit of studying in a formal seminary: Here's the verbatim transcript of Fr. Pius's comments: "One of the things which he [Kiko} has inspired is you
- [The Neocatechumenal Way in Asia](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-neocatechumenal-way-in-asia/) - The Way in Asia Why "the Way" will Fail in Asia- The NCW says "disobedient bishops" are the cause of their problems in Japan... Half-baked Priests for Asia- We learn of a plan to reduce NCW seminary training to 5 years, with no formal seminary... Kiko tells us why he needs girls for China... -
- [A Turn of the Screw](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/a-turn-of-the-screw/) - Come and listen to 96 seconds of Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut O.C.D. doing what he does best... Fr. Sammut, as you may know, is the lead catechist for the Neocatechumenal Way in Micronesia, and for the last 18 years has been carefully building the sectarian wall of division in the Archdiocese of Agana. Brick by brick.
- [Pius's "Storm of Persecution"](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/piuss-storm-of-persecution/) - Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut O.C.D., lead catechist of the Neocatechumenal Way for Micronesia and Hawaii, has been secretly recorded speaking of the "persecution" that the Neocatechumenal Way has suffered in Guam over the last year: "We don't know what the Lord has prepared for us. Really. When I look back I see its...how true this is it...okay,
- ["You always did what we told you..."](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/you-have-always-obeyed-us/) - Fr. Edwin "Pius" Sammut O.C.D., the lead catechist for the Neocatechumenal Way in Micronesia, says that the absolute obedience of the members of "the Way" on Guam has "edified him a lot" (Click the red arrow below to play the recording): "There are always people who rebel, but anyway, thanks be to God, God has
- [How to Find a Canon Lawyer](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/how-to-find-a-canon-lawyer/) - The (un)canonical censures have begun to be issued in the Archdiocese of Agana, and laity and clergy alike might soon need recourse to good, qualified counsel. While it's a work in progress, here is a list of potential counsel. All are "off-island", but that should pose no problem whatsoever. Feel free to suggest more. The
- [Kiko's History of the Catholic Church](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-history-of-the-catholic-church/) - They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and Kiko Arguello, an artist and the founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, certainly knows how to use them effectively in his teaching. Here is Kiko's diagram of Salvation History taken from page 53 of the first volume of the Neocatechumenal Catechetical Directory, otherwise known as
- [PETITION to Archbishop Apuron to Restore Fr. Paul Gofigan to the positions he held](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/petition-to-archbishop-apuron-to-restore-fr-paul-gofigan-to-the-positions-he-held/) - Do the following steps to sign this petition: Enter your email address twice in the boxes below. Click the "Sign Now" button, A confirmation message will be sent to the email address you specified. Retrieve that message from your email inbox. NOTE: some email providers might treat the confirmation as junk or spam, so check your junk
- [beauty](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/beauty/) - [catlist name="beauty"]
- [truth](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/truth/) - [catlist name="truth"]
- [virtue](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/virtue/) - [catlist name="virtue"]
- [scripture](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/scripture-2/) - [catlist name="scripture"]
- [The Sacrificial Death of Christ](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-sacrificial-death-of-christ/) - Ecumenical Councils of the Church The Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431) teaches, "He (Christ) offered Himself for us as a sweet odor (that is, a pleasing sacrifice) to the God and Father." The Ecumenical Council of Trent (1545), in its authoritative teaching on the Sacrifice of the Mass, presupposes that Christ's death on the cross
- [Kiko's Sacramental Problems](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-sacramental-problems/) - Kiko's Tabernacles - Do these tabernacles indicate Kiko's true beliefs regarding the Eucharist? Kiko's Passover Problem, Part I - If Kiko is wrong about the celebration of the Passover in first century Palestine, how could he be right about the worship of the first century Christians? Kiko's Passover Problem, Part II - Wherein Kiko's teaching is found
- [Kiko's Eschatology](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-eschatology/) - Kiko's Last Judgment - a critical look at Kiko's teachings and iconography on the General (Last) Judgment Critiquing Kiko's Kerygma - Why does Kiko's kerygma seem to deliberately exclude the possibility of purgatory? A Neocatechumenal Seminary Professor's View on Chamorro Prayers for the Dead
- [Other Problems](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/other-problems/)
- [Petitions](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/petitions/) - Petitions - ALL THREE PETITIONS ARE STILL OPEN Petition of Concern Regarding the Actions, Words, and Influence of Fr. Pius Sammut O.C.D. - Are you concerned about the inordinate and destructive influence of Fr. Pius Sammut in the Archdiocese of Agana? If so, click here to sign a petition that will be sent to his Superior in
- [Guam's Pacific News Center, August 4, 2014 (VIDEO, 3 min)](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/guams-pacific-news-center-august-4-2014/) - Here's a news clip from the Pacific News Center in Guam related to the ongoing problems we're experiencing with the Neocatechumenal Way here on Guam. I'm the dweeb being interviewed...
- [The Problems of the Neocatechumenal Way on Guam (VIDEO)](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-problems-of-the-neocatechumenal-way-on-guam/) - If you have the time (a short half hour) , feel free to listen to an interview I recently did on Travis Coffman's Big Show on K57 Talk Radio here in Guam. This 30 minute conversation centered on the sectarian nature of the Neocatechumenal Way on Guam, and specific topics discussed included: the history of
- [The Bloom is Off the Rose](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-neocatechumenal-decline/) - Some 400 million of the world's people speak Spanish as their native language in 21 countries around the world. Follow along while I take you on an adventure of a "quantitative" nature to prove that the Neocatechumenal Way's growth rate is greatly declining in these Spanish-speaking countries. The Neocatechumenal Way, like many other groups and movements,
- [PETITION to Archbishop Apuron to Restore Msgr. Benavente to the positions he held as of 7/25/2014](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/petition-to-archbishop-apuron-to-restore-msgr-benavente-to-the-positions-he-held-as-of-7252014/) - Do the following steps to sign this petition: Enter your email address twice in the boxes below. Click the "Sign Now" button, A confirmation message will be sent to the email address you specified. Retrieve that message from your email inbox. NOTE: some email providers might treat the confirmation as junk or spam, so check your junk
- [Petition of Concern Regarding the Actions, Words, and Influence of Fr. Pius Sammut O.C.D.](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/petition-of-concern-regarding-the-actions-words-and-influence-of-fr-pius-sammut-o-c-d/) - Do the following steps to sign this petition: Enter your email address twice in the boxes below. Click the "Sign Now" button, A confirmation message will be sent to the email address you specified. Retrieve that message from your email inbox. NOTE: some email providers might treat the confirmation as junk or spam, so check
- [Are we dealing with a cult?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/are-we-dealing-with-a-cult/) - Are We Dealing With a Cult? As many Catholics on Guam know, the Church on Guam is currently in a state of profound crisis. After much reflection, I have to ask, “Does the Neocatechumenal Way on Guam practice or exhibit any of the classic signs of cults and sects, and if so, which ones?” ReGAIN,
- [Covering His Tracks](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/covering-his-tracks/) - Several weeks ago I wrote piece here about Neocatechumenal professor David Atienza de Fruto and his mischaracterization of the Chamorro (and Catholic) practice of praying for the dead. You can read that piece and the claims of that Neocatechumenal seminary professor here. Well, some of us suspected that his original paper would not be on
- [The "Prophet" Kiko Arguello](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/the-prophet-kiko-arguello/) - For a while now I've heard rumors that the catechists of the Neocatechumenal Way teach members that Kiko Arguello, the co-founder of "the Way" is a "prophet". Well, in late May of 2014 I obtained this screenshot from the Facebook timeline of a young person from Guam who was planning to attend a vocational meeting in
- [I've Got a Question for You (take the poll)](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/ive-got-a-question-for-you/)
- [Kiko's Icons](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/kikos-inspiration/) - It is very common for painters of icons to copy the work of the great masters of the past, and Kiko Arguello, a founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, is no exception. Here are several icons, including seven associated with the Dodekaorton, which were painted by Kiko. Each one was copied extensively from the work of other
- [Unsalted, Unenlightened.  We're Judas!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/unsalted-unenlightened-were-judas/) - Apparently, according to Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, those of us who oppose "the Way" are liars and slaves to Satan. In fact, we are "Judas" - on a mission to kill Neos: "Finally, there is a third circle, a third group of brothers and sisters, those who live a lie, who have
- [Coming To A Parish Near You!](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/coming-to-a-parish-near-you/) - Coming To A Parish Near You! Perhaps you didn’t know, but Kiko Argüello, the founder and leader of the Neocatechumenal Way, is an accomplished artist, and his work is very popular among his followers. Here’s a sample of his icons and paintings of our Lord, with our Lord as an infant in the two in
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- [Pope Benedict XVI](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/pope-benedict-xvi/)
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- [10 commandments](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/10-commandments/)
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- [apologetics](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/apologetics/)
- [King David](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/king-david/)
- [C.S. Lewis](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/c-s-lewis/)
- [Latin Vulgate](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/latin-vulgate/)
- [Septuagint](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/septuagint/)
- [Ark of the Covenant](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/ark-of-the-covenant/)
- [St. Thomas Aquinas](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/st-thomas-aquinas/)
- [Daniel](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/daniel/)
- [Antichrist](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/antichrist/)
- [Holy Ghost](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/holy-ghost/)
- [Camino Neocatecumenal](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/camino-neocatecumenal/)
- [Gospel of John](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/gospel-of-john/)
- [Romans](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/romans/)
- [What does the Church Teach?](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/what-does-the-church-teach/)
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- [Isaiah](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/isaiah/)
- [1 John](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/1-john/)
- [Douay Rheims](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/douay-rheims/)
- [St. Pope John Paul II](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/st-pope-john-paul-ii/)
- [Servile Work](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/servile-work/)
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- [Stations of the Cross](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/stations-of-the-cross/)
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- [Good Friday](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/good-friday/)
- [Ezekiel](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/ezekiel/)
- [Leviticus](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/leviticus/)
- [Deuteronomy](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/deuteronomy/)
- [Callao](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/callao/)
- [Peru](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/peru/)
- [The Rosary](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/the-rosary/)
- [Synodality](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/synodality/)
- [Eden](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/eden/)
- [Temple](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/temple/)
- [Down Syndrome](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/down-syndrome/)
- [Letter to the Hebrews](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/letter-to-the-hebrews/)
- [Numbers](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/numbers/)
- [Rome](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/rome/)
- [Michelangelo](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/michelangelo/)
- [St. Francis](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/st-francis/)
- [St. Claire](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/st-claire/)
- [Assisi](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/assisi/)
- [Pilgrimage](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/pilgrimage/)
- [Anointing of the Sick](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/anointing-of-the-sick/)
- [Extreme Unction](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/extreme-unction/)
- [Traditional Latin Mass](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/traditional-latin-mass/)
- [Proverbs](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/proverbs/)
- [Holy Mass](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/holy-mass/)
- [Seven Deadly Sins](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/seven-deadly-sins/)
- [Seven Capital Sins](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/seven-capital-sins/)
- [St. Paul](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/st-paul/)
- [Acts of the Apostles](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/acts-of-the-apostles/)
- [Canon Law](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/canon-law/)
- [Freemasonry](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/freemasonry/)
- [the last things](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/the-last-things/)
- [St. Teresa](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/st-teresa/)
- [2 Timothy](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/2-timothy/)
- [St. Augustine](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/st-augustine/)
- [City of God](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/city-of-god/)
- [Colossians](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/colossians/)
- [St. John the Baptist](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/st-john-the-baptist/)
- [Jehovah's Witnesses](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/jehovahs-witnesses/)
- [Liberalism](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/liberalism/)
- [Sirach](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/sirach/)
- [Wisdom](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/wisdom/)
- [Matthew](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/matthew/)
- [James](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/james/)
- [2 Peter](https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/tag/2-peter/)