Category Archives: Our Catholic Identity

QUAERITUR: the obligation of priests to dress as priests in public

From a reader: In my former parish, the pastor wears his collar only during "business hours" (he gave a class in his jeans) and very rarely off parish grounds. I suggested that wearing his clerics around the town (we live … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
76 Comments

Archbp. Nienstedt (Archd. St. Paul & Minneapolis) defends marriage

A few days ago the Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, H.e. Most Rev. John Nienstedt, had an op-ed piece in the Minneapolis Star Tribune in support of a defense of marriage amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. You can find … Read More

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
29 Comments

Good shepherds do not flee from the wolves.

Five years ago Pope Benedict sat down to preach at the first solemn "inaugural" Mass of his pontificate. Inter alia he said: One of the basic characteristics of a shepherd must be to love the people entrusted to him, even … Read More

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, SESSIUNCULA, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged
5 Comments

Finding a fellow traveller… no coincidence! Fr. Nichols on secularism

I found a great quote toward the end of Fr. Aidan Nichols new Criticising the Critics, which I wrote about here.  This would be a good book to own and read carefully. Order from Amazon UK click HERE. "Secularization is … Read More

Posted in Brick by Brick, On the road, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged
21 Comments

The UK’s Foreign Office and John 15:18

A couple days I noticed a story in the Daily Telegraph about the memos circulating in the UK’s Foreign Office about the Pope’s upcoming visit. Here is a taste. Ministers apologise for insult to Pope The Government has apologised to … Read More

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, The Last Acceptable Prejudice |
17 Comments

Bp. Slattery’s Sermon in Washington DC – unforgettable

Here is the audio of Bp. Edward Slattery’s marvelous sermon at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Amazing. Bp. Slattery, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, stepped up and made himself available to be celebrant for the Pontifical Mass in the older, traditional … Read More

Posted in Brick by Brick, Classic Posts, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, Sermons, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
48 Comments

Should seminarians still keep their heads down about being, say, Catholic? Still?

In my US seminary days, we had to hide going certain places, such as parishes where the priests believed in One God, Creator of heaven and earth, etc.  One of my classmates was thrown out because he had a statue … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, SESSIUNCULA |
45 Comments

Internal forum/confession and reporting crimes to the state

My friend Fr. Ray Blake, parish priest in Brighton at St. Mary Magdalen has a very good entry on his blog.  To a degree it represents also some of my own reflections in the last few days. Let’s have a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Clerical Sexual Abuse, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
31 Comments

A look at Fr. Pfleger’s parish in Chicago

I am amazed that Fr. Pfleger continues in his office of pastor at St. Sabina Church in Chicago.  A reader sent me this: A day or two ago I decided to see what St. Sabina’s website has to offer http://www.saintsabina.org/. … Read More

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, Throwing a Nutty | Tagged
72 Comments

Pope Benedict talks about the rite of Mass, inculturation, mystery!

Our friends at Rorate have given us part of the Holy Father’s ad limina address to bishops of Brazil.   Let’s have a look with my E & C. Wonderful words on the true meaning of active participation Today’s speech of … Read More

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM |
17 Comments