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Monthly Archives: December 2025
Dilexi Te 59: Freeing Prisoners
This section, paragraphs 59 through 62, will be a struggle for the modern MAGA Christian. Maybe some others too. The majority of Americans who enter our country are certainly Christian, and most, I think, are still Catholic. Yet many Catholics … Continue reading
In Unitate Fidei 9: An Interior Reception
We move to the present day, having acknowledged the filioque situation, its origin, and its place as part of Catholic/Orthodox dialogue. Pope Leo reminds us of the liturgy: that Trinitarian formula used at Baptism, used as words that accompany a … Continue reading
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A Fidelity That Generates the Future 2: Keep Reading
The Holy Father recommends going back to these conciliar documents, especially in seminaries. It seems like the JP2/B16 era encouraged more canon law and business to be taught, at least in US seminaries. These are certainly worthy and needed areas … Continue reading
Dilexi Te 58: Compassion Not an Option
58. The monastic tradition teaches us that prayer and charity, silence and service, cells and hospitals form a single spiritual fabric. The monastery is a place of listening and action, of worship and sharing. As a visitor and retreatant, I … Continue reading
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In Unitate Fidei 8cd: Completing the Formulation
Last post we zeroed in on what is today central Turkey and here, we pick up on Saints Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory Nazianzen contributing to the public profession of belief in God: The particular merit of … Continue reading
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Dilexi Te 57: Cultural and Spiritual Formation for Others
More than food and shelter for those in need, and other aspects of short-term hospitality … 57. In addition to providing material assistance, monasteries played a fundamental role in the cultural and spiritual formation of the humblest. In times of … Continue reading
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A Fidelity That Generates the Future 1: An Anniversary of a Jubilee Year
APOSTOLIC LETTER A FIDELITY THAT GENERATES THE FUTURE OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV ON THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONCILIAR DECREES OPTATAM TOTIUS AND PRESBYTERORUM ORDINIS Vatican II is now quickly fading from living Catholic memory. Those two conciliar documents for … Continue reading
Dilexi Te 56: A Culture of Inclusion
As it happened in the West, the supposed Dark Ages found seeds of civilization cultivated in monasteries. It wasn’t only about museum preservation and books, but service to people and witness to the example of Christ: 56. Over time, Benedictine … Continue reading
In Unitate Fidei 8ab: The Post-Conciliar Church
And by post-conciliar, let’s affirm we’re talking about the years following 325, not the past sixty. By themselves, councils do not settle a sense of peace in the Church. History tells us that people, from laity to the bishops, struggle … Continue reading
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A Blessed Christmas to All
The Word, God before all times, the Word, flesh at the appropriate time; the maker and placer of the sun, made and placed under the sun; marshalling all the ages from the bosom of the Father, consecrating this day from … Continue reading
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A Word on Secular Christmas
… or, what the Church is missing. A social media friend, someone I know to be rather hardcore about her Catholicism, posted a pic of wearing her Christmas tree earrings a few weeks ago. Not apologizing for celebrating Christmas even … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas, Commentary
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Advent Scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-3a
On Saturday mornings, plus at Lauds on the 17th and 24th, we revisit a well-known passage from Isaiah, 11:1-3a. A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the … Continue reading
Another New Pope Leo Document
Number three of the first year of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, and here it is: A Fidelity That Generates the Future. What’s the occasion? This Fall marks sixty years since two Vatican II documents detailing teaching and reforms for priestly … Continue reading
On Leo’s Agenda: Liturgy
The news outlet Cruxnow is reporting on Pope Leo’s upcoming consistory and that liturgy is on the agenda. A few snippets from journalist Elise Ann Allen: Leo in our interview referred to the ongoing “liturgy wars” playing out in global … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Liturgy
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Catholic Sensibility 
Christmas Tamales
I was a bit surprised at this EWTN outlet promoting tamales as a Christmas dish. One commenter referenced “the traditional, all-American Christmas Dinner.” I’m not exactly sure what that is, even after living through two-thirds of a century of eating … Continue reading →