Monthly Archives: December 2017

FIRST READING            Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying:  “Fear not, Abram!  I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.”  But Abram said, “O Lord God, what good will … Continue reading →

Posted on 30 December 2017 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf on his Blog: FATHERS!  Tell your people. Catholics can gain a Plenary Indulgence on New Year’s EVE, 31 December (EnchInd. 26) be the recitation or the singing of the Te Deum. To gain … Continue reading →

CP&S comment – This is a repost by Jo Shaw (LMS Chairman) from March 2014. The situation has worsened considerably since then under this current Pope, forcing even many of his former admirers to radically change their attitude towards his … Continue reading →

Settimo Cielodi: Sandro Magister 28 dic 17 Vatican Without Peace. Money, Sex, and an LGBT Crèche * A stormy Christmas, this year at the Vatican. Just when Pope Francis, in his Christmas greetings to the curia, was going after those … Continue reading →

BECKET – “This is the sign of the Church always: The Sign of Blood.” KNIGHTS. Where is Becket, the traitor to the King? Where is Becket, the meddling priest? Come down Daniel to the lions’ den, Come down Daniel for … Continue reading →

The name Egypt occurs three times in today’s gospel. “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt” (Mt 2:13). “And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt” (Mt 2:14). … Continue reading →

How entirely different to the post-Christian Christmas messages of other Western nations (and former U.S. Presidents and First Ladies) was this one! The Trumps message to the nation was outspokenly Christian, faithful in its recognition of Our Saviour’s Incarnation, God made … Continue reading →

First posted on 26 December 2017 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf on his Blog: From a reader… QUAERITUR: At this time of year the inevitable ‘Mary was an unwed mother‘ and The Holy Family’s flight into Egypt makes them migrants sermons … Continue reading →

Professing the Christian Faith Demands the Heroism of the Martyrs The Church was still in her infancy when Stephen, renowned for his virtues, received from the Apostles the mission to organise the meals where the poor were fed in common. … Continue reading →

The homilies of Pope Benedict XVI cannot be consigned to some dark archive. They remain unforgettable. Pope Benedict XVI preached simply and with serenity. His teachings had, and continue to have, an extraordinarily luminous quality. Here is the English translation … Continue reading →

ANNO a creatióne mundi, quando in princípio Deus creávit cœlum et terram, quínquies millésimo centésimo nonagésimo nono:  IN the year five-thousand one-hundred and ninety-nine from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created the heavens and the … Continue reading →

FIRST READING Isaiah 9:1-6 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice … Continue reading →

From: The Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert. FIRST READING  2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 When King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said … Continue reading →

328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition. (Catechism of the Catholic Church) Angels play a big … Continue reading →

CP&S:  We would add Cardinal Robert Sarah’s two excellent books to this list. May we also presume that Marcantonio Colonna’s The Dictator Pope, available in English only as an e-book at present, might be added to the list next year? … Continue reading →