Last week, Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Catholics raised moral concerns about the vaccine due to its connection to abortion. However, both the Vatican and the USCCB deemed it morally acceptable because the connection was “remote”. The two most important figures in the Catholic Church…
The Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph
Because of my Protestant background, I love the clarity the Catholic Church offers (or is supposed to offer). I don’t have to rely on my own understanding to draw close to God. I can turn to the writings of Catholics over the centuries, an equivalent of which no Protestant can claim, and look for the…
Pope Francis Declares a Year of St. Joseph
Devotees of St. Joseph, get excited! To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX proclaiming St. Joseph patron of the universal church, Pope Francis has declared a Year of St. Joseph. The year begins on December 8, 2020 and will end December 8, 2021. Accompanying the degree, the Pope released an apostolic letter about…
Do You Fast for Advent?
When I first saw priests wearing purple for Advent, I suspected something penitential was going on. However, no one told me to fast, or give alms, or do anything other than prepare to pack on a few pounds from all the dessert I was about to consume. For many years, I lit candles on my…
New Catholic Fantasy
I have been working on a new Catholic fantasy story! I don’t know how long it will be but once a month, I will post a new chapter on the blog. Posting in general has been rather spotty but I’m doing my best to get into a routine. What better way than to start writing…
Catholics on Election Day
I am not a political writer. I don’t even really want to call myself a spiritual writer. All I know is what the Church teaches. And I really can’t say it better than Father James Altman. Please watch these videos before you head to the polls this election day.
Same-Sex Unions and Pope Francis
Last week, I wrote a blog post about papal infallibility in regards to the dumpster fire that is Fratelli Tutti (or “Fruity-Tooty” as a friend of mine calls it). I tried my best to be diplomatic and reassuring. And then this happened… The entirety of the quote is as follows: “What we have to create…
Papal Infallibility and Pope Francis
Pope Francis has had his share of controversies since he took the papal throne in 2013 after the retirement of Benedict XVI. From the Dubia to Pachamama to Fratelli Tutti, His Holiness’s words (or lack thereof) have sent the Barque of St. Peter on quite the ride. And it’s also made many people wonder, “What…
Clarity of Sight
My mother was nearsighted and the condition of her eyes worsened over time. By her death, she was legally blind. I began wearing glasses as a teenager after a year of struggling to see the blackboard at school. Annually, I go to the optometrist to get my eyes checked. Eyesight is one of those things…
Apologies
Hello, everyone! I do apologize for the silence. On the one hand, I was distracted by a writing project and general life. On the other, my health has had several ups and downs of late. Going forward, this blog will update twice weekly. Saturdays will be brief meditations and Tuesdays will be articles on an…