BIG C CATHOLICS

Blessed Flavianus Michael Malke On Saturday, August 29, Pope Francis declared the first Syrian Catholic bishop, Flavianos Melke who was killed in Turkey one hundred years ago to the day, a martyr. Three weeks earlier, Pope Francis approved Melke's beatification after it was determined that the bishop was killed in hatred of the faith. The Pope noted that Melke's example is especially salient for Christians facing persecution now: Even today, dear brothers and sisters, in the Middle East and other parts of the world, Christians are persecuted. There are more martyrs than in the first centuries. The beatification of this martyr should instill in us consolation, courage, and hope, but it is also a stimulus to legislators and government leaders to ensure that religious freedom is guaranteed everywhere... A beatification Mass was celebrated in Lebanon, and brought together numerous patriarchs from the Eastern churches of Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Flavianos Michael Melke w...

Fr. Philip Neri Powell, OP Notre Dame Seminary, NOLA He said to them, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:21  ( Click here for today's readings ) So, Jesus – the hometown boy – walks into his synagogue, picks up a scroll, reads a passage from Isaiah, and says, in effect, “God the Father has sent me to rescue y'all, you bunch of sinners.” Surprisingly, this little stunt goes over well. . .at first: “. . .all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.” Then some of the less-impressed listeners start asking questions designed to put Jesus in his place, “Hey, wait a minute, isn't he Joseph's boy?” Seeing where this line of questioning is headed, Jesus nips it in the bud, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” He then goes on to point out their faithlessness and how their ancestors abused God's prophets, earning the Father's wrath. This went ove...

At the hour of death the Holy Masses you have heard devoutly will be your greatest consolation. Every Mass will go with you to Judgment and will plead for your pardon. By every Mass you can diminish the temporal punishment due to your sins, more or less, according to your fervor. By devoutly assisting at Holy Mass you render the greatest homage possible to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord. Through the Holy Sacrifice, Our Lord Jesus Christ supplies for your negligence and omissions. Christ forgives you all the venial sins which you are determined to avoid. He forgives you all your unknown sins which you never confessed. The power of Satan over you is diminished. By piously hearing Holy Mass you afford the Souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief. Through Holy Mass you are preserved from many dangers and misfortunes which would otherwise have befallen you. You shorten your Purgatory by every Mass. Through the Holy Mass you are blessed in your temporal goods and aff...

Fr. René J. Butler, M.S. Director, La Salette Shrine Enfield, NH "Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile." Mark 7:15 ( Click here for today’s readings ) What’s wrong with washing your hands before you eat? What’s wrong with washing cups and jugs and kettles and beds? Nothing, of course. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Jesus did not criticize the Scribes and Pharisees for doing these things. What provoked his reaction was their reference to hand washing as "the tradition of the elders" and the reference to "unclean hands." As you know, "unclean" in the Bible is not the same as "dirty." It has to do with one’s suitability to participate in community and worship. Since a blessing was pronounced on all foods before eating, it made sense that you would not want to be "unclean" in any way. It isn’t so different from restaurants, however ...

August's blog of note ceased publication in December 2014. The New Theological Movement emanated from the minds of Father Ryan Erlenbush and a fellow diocesan priest who was the site's webmaster. Despite it's inactive status, The New Theological Movement Blog emanates from the minds of Father Ryan Erlenbush and a fellow diocesan priest who is the site's webmaster. NTM is a treasure trove of theological commentary, apologetics, scriptural exegesis and more. From the About page: "The aim of this blog, first and foremost, is to write for the benefit of the Catholic faithful and clergy. We will try to make the articles neither too academic such that they would belong in a theologically technical publication, nor merely 'popular.'" Fr. Erlenbush describes his method of theological interpretation thusly: " The Catechism of the Catholic Church is 'the sure norm of truth' to which we will remain faithful. (John Paul II, Laetamur Magnopere )....

In Humanae Vitae Pope Paul VI makes positive as well as negative prophecies . He elaborates the good that comes from following Church teaching on contraception. While acknowledging that spouses may face difficulties acquiring the self-discipline needed to practice periodic abstinence, he nonetheless affirms such self-discipline is possible, with the help of sacramental graces. In paragraph 21, he states: Value of Self-Discipline 21. The right and lawful ordering of birth demands, first of all, that spouses fully recognize and value the true blessings of family life and that they acquire complete mastery over themselves and their emotions. For if with the aid of reason and of free will they are to control their natural drives, there can be no doubt at all of the need for self-denial. Only then will the expression of love, essential to married life, conform to right order. This is especially clear in the practice of periodic continence. Self-discipline of this kind is a shining witne...

The Divine Mercy Image The Hour of Great Mercy Just as the (Divine Mercy) Image can serve as a reminder of the ocean of Divine Mercy, as well as its price, so can the daily remembrance of the Divine Mercy at the hour of Christ's death. Jesus asked Saint Faustina, and through her us, to celebrate this Hour of Great Mercy, promising tremendous graces to those who would, both for themselves and on behalf of others. At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy ... In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion. ( Diary, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul (c) 1987, 1320). As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it, invoke it's omnipotence for the whole world, ...

Pro-Choice Journalist Ruben Navarrette makes several stark observations in his column " I Don’t Know if I’m Pro-Choice After Planned Parenthood Videos " which appeared earlier this month in the Daily Beast. Mr. Navarrette acknowledges being an abortion supporter for the past 30 years. He is, however, reconsidering his pro-choice sympathies in light of this summer's release of gruesome, undercover videos by The Center for Medical Progress in which top officials of Planned Parenthood discuss the harvesting of baby organs for money. Navarrette writes: It’s jarring to see doctors acting as negotiators as they dicker over the price of a fetal liver, heart, or brain, and then talk about how they meticulously go to the trouble of not crushing the most valuable body parts. This practice is perfectly legal, and for some people, it is just a business. With millions of abortions each year in America, business is good. Who could forget Dr. Mary Gatter, council president of the ...

The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs ,  Fra Angelico , 1424 All the science of the Saints is included in these two things: To do, and to suffer. And whoever had done these two things best, has made himself most saintly. — Saint Francis de Sales Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them. — Saint Francis de Sales  If we are, in fact, now occupied in good deeds, we should not attribute the strength with which we are doing them to ourselves. We must not count on ourselves, because even if we know what kind of person we are today, we do not know what we will be tomorrow. — Saint Gregory the Great Nothing seems tiresome or painful when you are working for a Master who pays well; who rewards even a cup of cold water given for love of Him. — Saint Dominic Savio No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the ...

Orthodox Icon: Christ with the saints Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desire, and his disposition live and reign there . — Saint John Eudes You cannot please both God and the world at the same time.  They are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires, and their actions . — Saint John Vianney You either belong wholly to the world or wholly to God.  — Saint John Vianney He who trusts himself is lost.  He who trusts in God can do all things. — Saint Alphonsus Liguori Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife. — Saint Leo the Great  Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved. — Saint Robert Bellarmine Nothing is far from God. — Saint Monica Enjoy yourself as much as you like – if only you keep fr...

The Old Testament has innumerable laws regulating human behavior. Many address how individuals ought to act. Others prescribe how to prepare meals, what food is permissible to consume, what clothing can be worn and so on. According to Jewish tradition, the Torah alone contains 613 commandments or mitzvot . The 613 commandments include 365 "positive commandments" (enjoining the performing of an act), and 248 "negative commandments" (urging refrain from certain behaviors). Why are some of these commandments binding on Christians today while others are not? The Old Testament contains three different sets of law codes. There are:  Moral Laws  Judicial Laws  Ritual Laws Judicial laws regulated Israel's civil affairs. They act something like municipal laws today. They do not govern personal morality per se  and we are not beholden to them. Ritual laws concern Israel's ceremonial or worship life — expressed most notably in it's dietary and purificatio...

Blessed Mother Teresa was called from this world on September 5, 1997. As we approach the anniversary of her death, I invite you to say this special prayer each day:  Father of Life, You always defend the poor and oppressed. In Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, You raised up a voice for the voiceless and a friend to the poorest of the poor, the unborn child. She brought women away from the despair of abortion clinics to the hope of a loving community that cared for her and her child. She spoke the truth to men and women of power, asking them how we could tell people not to kill one another while allowing a mother to kill her own child. Father, as we honor this humble and faithful woman, we ask you to give us the grace to follow her example. May we be bold in word and generous in action to love and serve the unborn and to awaken our world to know, as Mother Teresa said, that the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion. Fill us with love, bring us peace, and let us sh...

Whether you're studying Scripture for the first time, looking to take your studies to a higher level, or ready for advanced training, the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology offers seven individual online bible study courses . Each course contains a complete text, including cross-references and links to Scripture and other Church documents. In addition, for each track of study they recommend books that will enhance your study and prayer and build your library of essential works in biblical theology and spirituality. Among the course offerings are: Covenant Love: Introducing the Biblical Worldview Genesis to Jesus The Lamb's Supper: The Bible and the Mass Reading the Old Testament in the New: The Gospel of Matthew ‘He must reign’: The Kingdom of God in Scripture Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God _______________________ The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology is a non-profit research and educational institute that promotes life-transforming Scri...

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust.  Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.  Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God's plan.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen.

Fr. René J. Butler, M.S. Director, La Salette Shrine Enfield, NH "They walked with him no longer." John. 6:66 ( Click here for today’s readings ) "Many of his disciples no longer accompanied him." I prefer the classic translation, "They walked with him no longer," as presenting a more forceful image. Not his enemies, but Jesus’ own disciples were falling away from him. They didn’t like what he was saying, and that was that. To be fair, let it be noted that what Jesus was saying was exactly what they called it, "a hard saying." So they applied what we might call "the logic of dislike." We have all seen it. We have all done it. The logic is very simple. It goes a little like this: 1) I try something; 2) I don’t like it; 3) I will never try it again. In the case of today’s Gospel: 1) This Jesus is fascinating; 2) I don’t like this business of eating flesh and drinking blood; 3) Goodbye, Jesus. There are some situations, ...

Msgr. Charles Pope Monsignor Charles Pope, a Catholic priest in Washington, D.C., who is a popular blogger and noted homilist was recently blocked from using the social media site Facebook. Facebook says it prefers its users assume their "everyday names" so that people recognize who they’re communicating with. Monsignor Charles Pope has held his title in the Catholic Church for 10 years. (Monsignor is an honorific form of address granted to individuals who have rendered valuable service to the Church.) Msgr. Pope was surprised when Facebook told him, after six years using the social-networking service, they didn’t think he was using his real name. Last year, Facebook apologized to those in the gay community who were blocked due to the "real name" policy wherein Facebook chief product officer Chris Cox said the following: I want to apologize to the affected community of drag queens, drag king, transgender, and extensive community of our friends, neighbors, an...

Priests have received a power which God has given neither to angels nor to archangels. It was said to them: ‘Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose, shall be loosed.’ Temporal rulers have indeed the power of binding; but they can only bind the body. Priests, in contrast, can bind with a bond which pertains to the soul itself and transcends the very heavens. Did [God] not give them all the powers of heaven?…What greater power is there than this? The Father has given all judgment to the Son. And now I see the Son placing all this power in the hands of men. They are raised to this dignity as if they were already gathered up to heaven. — St. John Chrysostom

In the forty-seven years since the promulgation of Humanae Vitae ( Of Human Life: On the Regulation of Birth ), Pope Paul VI’s seventh and last encyclical, society — particularly in the West — has undergone seismic change. In addition to affirming the Church’s long held prohibition against artificial birth control; Pope Paul VI articulates a vision of marriage and responsible parenthood that underscores the immense dignity and divine calling of husband and wife. Accordingly, marriage properly understood, is the conjugal union of a man and woman for life, of exclusive and mutual fidelity, for the procreation and education of children. In addition to discussing the joys and challenges of matrimony and the life-giving, self-donative love it requires, Pope Paul IV enumerates four predictions about the consequences should the Church's teaching on contraception be dismissed. They are: Infidelity and Moral Decay A Loss of Respect for Women by Men The Abuse of Power Unlimited Dom...

A group of black ministers from nine states has written a letter to the Director of the National Portrait Society objecting to the inclusion of a likeness of Margaret Sanger that will appear alongside others representing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks in the Gallery’s "Struggle for Justice” exhibit, which honors "great achievements... striking down long-standing segregationist practices and discrimination in American society." Dear Ms. Sajet, We are writing to ask that Margaret Sanger’s likeness be removed from all National Portrait Gallery exhibits. Her bust should not be part of the Gallery’s "Struggle for Justice" exhibit, which honors "great achievements... striking down long-standing segregationist practices and discrimination in American society.” Ms. Sanger may have been a lot of things, but a “champion of justice” she definitely was not. Perhaps the Gallery is unaware that Ms. Sanger supported black eugenics, a racist attitude...

It is a love which is total—that very special form of personal friendship in which husband and wife generously share everything, allowing no unreasonable exceptions and not thinking solely of their own convenience. Whoever really loves his partner loves not only for what he receives, but loves that partner for the partner's own sake, content to be able to enrich the other with the gift of himself.  — Pope Paul VI, from his encyclical Humanae Vitae [9]

Dr. Peter Kreeft teaches Philosophy at Boston College and is a convert to the Catholic faith. The following seven audios overview reasons for being Catholic. Reasons 2 & 3: History & C.S. Lewis Reason 4: The Four Marks of the Church Reason 5: Truth Reason 6: Goodness Reason 7: Beauty

(Dr. Peter Kreeft is a renowned Catholic apologists who teaches philosophy at Boston College. This is his compilation of twenty arguments for the existence of God. I have summarized the arguments below. They can be read in their entirety here .) 1. The Argument from Change  Briefly, if there is nothing outside the material universe, then there is nothing that can cause the universe to change. But it does change. Therefore there must be something in addition to the material universe. But the universe is the sum total of all matter, space and time. These three things depend on each other. Therefore this being outside the universe is outside matter, space and time. It is not a changing thing; it is the unchanging Source of change. 2. The Argument from Efficient Causality Even as you read this, you are dependent on other things; you could not, right now, exist without them. Suppose there are seven such things. If these seven things did not exist, neither would you. Now suppo...

When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots are to become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every second of the day. It is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every part of your body. No ... don't blush. I am telling you some truths. For that is just being in love; which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away. Doesn't sound very exciting, does it? But it is!   Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières, 1994 Now, I'm not going to deny that I was aware of your beauty. But the point is, this has nothing to do with your beauty. As I got to know you, I began to realize that beauty...

Fr. René J. Butler, M.S. Director, La Salette Shrine Enfield, NH ( Click here for today’s readings ) As mentioned last week, the words, “I am the bread of life,” taken in the context of Jesus’ other “I am” sayings, can be treated, like them, as symbolic. What makes this one different from all the others is the continuation of the discourse as we see it today, and next week as well. Some of the other “I am” sayings of Jesus’ provoked a negative reaction from his hearers, but none as visceral as we see today: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” And none of his disciples abandoned him on account of any of those other sayings. Similarly, while Jesus repeats “I am the good shepherd,” for example, a couple of times, it is not by any means with the same insistence as we encounter here: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you... For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” My purp...

... for once we can actually take Planned Parenthood at their word, because in these videos they don’t use euphemisms, but instead they openly acknowledge the humanity of the babies they have aborted and are now dissecting.  This makes perfect sense.  The whole point was that the child was really a human person, and their organs and other tissue could be sold for experiments. In other words, the folks at Planned Parenthood finally told the truth about what they are actually doing when they abort over 300,000 babies each year – that’s more than 20% of all abortions in this country: they are putting an end to an innocent, fragile, defenseless, human life.  — Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Fr. René J. Butler, M.S. Director, La Salette Shrine Enfield, NH "I am the bread of life." John 6:48 ( Click here for today’s readings ) Elijah definitely did not have friends in high places. It didn’t help his cause that he had killed all the prophets of Baal. Their chief patroness, Queen Jezebel, expressed her displeasure in these terms: “May the gods do thus to me and more, if by this time tomorrow I have not done with your life what was done to each of them.” In other words, she ordered a hit on him. First he fled about ninety miles, from Mount Carmel near modern-day Haifa in northern Israel, to Beersheba, some forty-five miles south of Jerusalem, in the desert. And to top it off, the best shade he could find was from a broom tree, a plant which is adapted to survive extreme drought conditions. It produces very small leaves, which last only a short time. So Elijah got tired of running away and was ready to give up. “Enough!” he cried, praying for death. God ...