BIG C CATHOLICS

Because it is the task of the apostolic ministry to ensure that the Church remains in the truth of Christ and to lead her ever more deeply into that truth, pastors must promote the sense of faith in all the faithful, examine and authoritatively judge the genuineness of its expressions and educate the faithful in an ever more mature evangelical discernment. — St. John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio

The ordination of men only to the priesthood is a doctrine of the Church. A common criticism of the Catholic Church is that she "does not change with the times." To answer this objection we must distinguish between Church doctrines, which cannot change, and disciplines, which can — as well as discuss doctrinal development. Doctrine vs. Discipline A doctrine is a formal, infallible teaching of the Church which cannot be altered. Doctrines are central truths of the faith (i.e., Christ's divinity, the Eucharist is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus). Doctrines address matters of faith and morality. They are proclaimed not invented . Disciplines are the Church's man made laws (i.e., priestly celibacy). They are not Church teaching. They do not concern matters of faith and morals expressly, but actions and behaviors informed by the current state of the Church. They may be altered, but rarely are. The all-male priesthood is a doctrine of the Church

Today is Virgil's birthday. He was born in 70 B.C., and died fifty-one years later. Virgil's poetics were revolutionary. Anyone who has studied Latin has read and translated his poetry. Virgil is ranked as Rome's greatest poet. His Aeneid is considered the national epic of ancient Rome. It tells the story of the eternal city's legendary founder and proclaims the Roman mission to civilize the world. Virgil's writing has greatly influenced Western literature (i.e., in Dante's Divine Comedy , Virgil is Dante's guide through hell and purgatory). Fortunately, his works are in the public domain . The verse inscribed on Virgil's tomb was supposedly composed by the poet himself. It reads in part: In Latin: Mantua me genuit, Calabri rapuere, tenet nunc Parthenope. Cecini pascua, rura, duces  In English:  Mantua bore me, the Calabrians snatched me away, now Naples holds me. I sang of pastures, countrysides, leaders... Want to learn Latin? Father Ga

The following statements from the encyclicals of Saint John Paul II speak directly to those who are "pro-choice"; especially legislators, heath care administrators and others in positions of authority: But responsibility likewise falls on the legislators who have promoted and approved abortion laws, and, to the extent that they have a say in the matter, on the administrators of the health-care centers where abortions are performed. ... In this sense abortion goes beyond the responsibility of individuals and beyond the harm done to them, and takes on a distinctly social dimension. It is a most serious wound inflicted on society and its culture by the very people who ought to be society's promoters and defenders. — Saint John Paul II, Evangelium vitae (1995), no. 59.  When a parliamentary or social majority decrees that it is legal, at least under certain conditions, to kill unborn human life, is it not really making a 'tyrannical' decision with regard to t

The Novena to St. Jude starts on Monday, October 19th, leading up to his feast day on October 28th. Jude (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot) is one of the twelve Apostles named by Jesus. He is also known as Thaddeus, (meaning sweetness and gentleness of character) as well as Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. Click here to sign up for daily reminders to pray the St. Jude Novena. Saint Jude followed Jesus faithfully until our Lord's crucifixion. He then preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya. Jude spoke both Greek and Aramaic, and was a farmer by trade. His New Testament letter stressed the importance of a faithful person persevering despite harsh circumstances. Jude died a martyr around the year 65 AD. Tradition holds he was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. After his martyrdom, pilgrims came to his grave to pray. Many benefited from his powerful intercession. Hence the titl

Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with the capacity for conversion, repentance, willingness to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness.  — Pope Benedict XVI

  It is impossible for a person who prays regularly to remain in serious sin; because the two are incompatible, one or the other will have to be given up.  — St. Teresa of Avila Teresa was born in Avila, Spain, in the year 1515. At the age of seven she set out for Africa to die for Christ, but was brought back by her uncle. When she lost her mother at twelve, Teresa implored Mary for her maternal protection. In 1533 she entered the Carmelite Order; for eighteen years she suffered physical pain and spiritual dryness. Under divine inspiration and with the approval of Pope Pius IV, she began the work of reforming the Carmelite Order. In spite of heavy opposition and constant difficulties, she founded thirty-two reformed convents. (See video below for more on Teresa's life.) Truly wonderful were the exterior and interior manifestations of her mystical union with God, especially during the last decade of her life. These graces reached a climax when her heart was transfixed (t