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White Garments

My father keeps on his desk a framed photo from the day of his First Holy Communion, 74 years ago at Sacred Heart Church in West Brighton, Staten Island. He’s posing in a white suit with short pants, white knee socks and shoes, with a big white ribbon on his sleeve. Very fancy. Nowadays itContinue reading “White Garments “

Restorative Images

Interesting things are happening in France. Adult baptisms are up 30%. There is unprecedented interest in the annual pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres. The reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral will be finished in time for Christmas. All this surprisingly good news was reported by The Pillar in the context of an interview of 27-year-old FrenchmanContinue reading “Restorative Images “

Our Special Guests

Before you read any further, please mark this date on your calendar: May 21, 2024. At 8pm that evening, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will arrive to the Church of St. Cecilia. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is an initiative of the bishops of the United States. Four groups of pilgrims will be journeying from different placesContinue reading “Our Special Guests “

Eclipse

If you are reading this article, it means the world didn’t end last week. This, despite the occurrence of a torrential rainstorm, an earthquake, and a solar eclipse all happening within a fortnight of each other. Personally, I found the rain depressing, the earthquake unsettling, and the eclipse fascinating. I remember my first experience ofContinue reading “Eclipse “

Compunction & Divine Mercy

A few days before Easter, Pope Francis gave a homily about compunction to the priests of the Diocese of Rome. Though not a word one often hears, he said compunction is “essential” to the spiritual life. It’s related to the word puncture, referring to “a piercing of the heart that is painful and evokes tearsContinue reading “Compunction & Divine Mercy “

“Freeing” Catholicism

Fr. Joshua Whitfield is the pastor of St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, TX where he has served since his ordination to the priesthood in 2009. In a recent post on Twitter/X, Fr. Whitfield shared his experience of talking with people who have come to him for advice about how they might have a deeperContinue reading ““Freeing” Catholicism “

Palm Sunday

There’s something disorienting about Mass on Palm Sunday. When we arrive to church we are handed palm branches. The liturgy begins with the gospel. The Passion Narrative is read with the whole congregation’s participation, all of us kneeling in silence when Jesus expires on the cross. It’s tempting most Sundays to experience the Mass onContinue reading “Palm Sunday “

Avarice

In a January 24 speech, Pope Francis described avarice, or greed, as “a sickness of the heart, not of the wallet,” that affects rich and poor alike. It is the attempt to gain control over the world by exercising mastery over the things of the world. But it is a false mastery, the pope says,Continue reading “Avarice “

Attraction to Distraction

Cultural critic Ted Gioia observes in a recent essay that we are rapidly entering into a “post-entertainment culture.” People are losing interest in movies, television, and music. “The fastest growing sector of the culture economy is distraction,” he argues, “Or call it scrolling or swiping or wasting time or whatever you want. But it’s notContinue reading “Attraction to Distraction “

God-Given Rights

Last week, journalist Heidi Przybyla of Politico caused a stir when she expressed grave concern about “Christian Nationalists,” those whom she says “believe that our rights as Americans, as all human beings, don’t come any earthly authority. They [believe our rights] don’t come from Congress, they don’t come from the Supreme Court, [rather] they comeContinue reading “God-Given Rights “