Monthly Archives: December 2012

Hamish Redux has pointed me to this excellent article. Please raise your glasses and toast The Thirsty Gargoyle, this New Year: It’s rare that I lose my temper, but I got indignant a few weeks ago when a friend declared … Continue reading →

The Little Known Pardon Crucifix is a Power House for the Holy Souls in Purgatory By John Quinn What is a Pardon Crucifix?It’s a thorn in Satan’s side, slammed in there by our good Pope St. Pius X. It is … Continue reading →

(Vatican Radio) This Sunday, as tens of thousands thronged St Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict XVI marked the Feast of the Holy Family with a special prayer for “all the families of the world”: That parents “seriously concern” themselves with their … Continue reading →

We have just heard of the passing of JoyfulPapist’s mother. Please remember her in your prayers. May she rest in peace. Amen.

At my last appraisal, I was told to attend a course on “root cause analysis” so that I might become the hospital’s “Inquisitor General” in the crusade against clinical mistakes. I am not sure such a course is necessary, as … Continue reading →

This article was originally published in 2011. The Feast of the Holy Family celebrates the family unit and the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The feast usually falls on the Sunday after Christmas. If Christmas is a Sunday, then … Continue reading →

I just found this little gem on the Universalis website, my favourite online Breviary: The prophets Elijah and Elisha are a bit of an embarrassment. Not only are the names similar but some of their miracles resemble one another so … Continue reading →

 “Who will rid me of this Turbulent Priest?” Thus raged King Henry II, referring to his Archbishop, Thomas a Becket, when once again Henry was thwarted in his intent to submit the Church to his greedy desires. As a result … Continue reading →

First Reading at Mass today (1 John 1:1-4) Something which has existed since the beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with our hands: the Word, who is … Continue reading →

I suffer from a neurological anomaly. Every time my eyes see the word “denomination”, my brain sees the word “abomination”. The divisions between Christians are a terrible scandal. They wound Christ Himself, and for compassionate reasons, I wish to propose … Continue reading →

Isn’t it tempting sometimes, but especially recently, to throw in the towel, and give up on being Catholic? Wouldn’t it all be so much easier if you could just veg out, get with the zeitgeist, and “consumer” yourself to death? … Continue reading →

A tribute to Fr John Edwards SJ from The Catholic Herald. Seeing cancer as a gift: That’s the way to do it!

OK, the title is an attention grabber, but I have just finished watching a fascinating and moving program about Sr Wendy Beckett on BBC TV, broadcast for the first time on Christmas night 2012. As the BBC blurb puts it: … Continue reading →

(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI has urged people never to loose hope in peace this Christmas, even in situations of conflict such as Syria, or nations afflicted by terrorism such as Nigeria, because the “Truth has sprung out of the … Continue reading →