Monthly Archives: November 2006

Biretta tip to Argent for this alarming story from China… o{]:¬\ who in turn got it from AsiaNews. Read this and think about whether the PRC is really interested in proper relations wtih the Catholic Church. Rome (AsiaNews) – A … Read More →

The text was originally released in FRENCH only. As I write, I am listening to it being read in English via Vatican Radio. Here is the text, which I publish after the reading is completed for reasons of the Press … Read More →

ADDRESS OF POPE BENEDICT before the Ecumenical Patriarch (my emphasis and comments) This Divine Liturgy celebrated on the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Patron Saint of the Church of Constantinople, brings us back to the early Church, to the … Read More →

I am right now watching the end of the Divine Liturgy of the Ecumenical Patriarch as Pope Benedict attends. The liturgy has ended and the Patriach is giving an address. My (spoken) Greek is a little rusty. But so far … Read More →

"The Divine Liturgy is going to last how long!?"

I occasionally read books about the so-called “Third Secret” uttered by Our Lady of Fatima. Lot’s of people believe that the real text of the “Third Secret” has still not been made public despite the hoopla a few years ago … Read More →

  Bp. Carlson underwent preventative surgery today, asks for prayers From the Saginaw Catholic Times:Saginaw Bishop Robert J. Carlson will undergo surgery on Tuesday, Nov. 28, to remove a section of his colon. There is no cancer in the area … Read More →

I already wrote about this little piece on the Vatican website before, but in light of the departure of His Holiness for Turkey I reviewed it and am driven to ask you a question. Here is the first line of … Read More →

I had lunch today with a great Marian expert from Syria, a Greek Melkite Antiochian Catholic who is a professor at the Oriental Institute here in Rome.   I asked him about the Eastern teachings and traditions about Mary’s giving birth … Read More →

The Holy Father is on his way to Turkey.  Have a caption? "Don’t worry. See you next Friday … my place!"

As I have told you, Rome has been foggy… and YES, I am aware of the irony of that statement. As I was writing another entry, I saw that the basilica dome was slowly becoming visible as the morning mists … Read More →

From the the Enchiridion of Indulgences, #25: A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in a spirit of filial devotion, devoutly recite any duly approved prayer for the Supreme Pontiff (e.g., the Oremus pro Pontifice): V. Let … Read More →

I stumbled on an interesting blog called The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen where some tough talk is going on. It’s refreshing. The entry that caught my eye concerned parish "mission statements" which I have always found pretentious and silly, … Read More →

The Pope is heading to the cusp of Asia and Europe.  There are delicate political and religious issues at stake.  Meanwhile, at the other end of Asia…. there are delicate political and religious issues at stake.  The Chinese are at … Read More →

Somebody PLEASE wake me up! Biretta tip to Mark Shea o{]:¬)

The Catechism of the Council of Trent has an interesting paragraph suggesting that we not over complicate the situation: Article 36. How To Think and Pray About Christ’s Virginal Conception These points of teaching comprise the substance of what appeared … Read More →

In the new movie "The Nativity Story" which premiered yesterday at the Vatican, the Blessed Virgin is depicted as having pain from labor and childbirth. It must be granted that the pain she is depicted as having was not has … Read More →