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May 8, 2019

Note from the Assistant Managing Editor:

In this week's reflection, Bl. John Henry Cardinal Newman speaks of the Ancients who gave God "all that could evidence the offering of their hearts to him."

We reprint the introduction to "How Catholic Art Saved the Faith" by Elizabeth Lev.  Artists helped the Church 500 years ago and can do so again today — by telling the story of salvation, by depicting truth, beauty, and goodness, and by lifting up humanity.

"The behavior of the disciples only makes sense once we accept that they actually believed that the incredible story they were telling was true."  St. Paul said that "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile."  The Resurrection is a historical fact, and Regis Nicoll provides "Evidence Beyond Reasonable Doubt."

Finally, "What Is Wrong With Socialism?" Three popes have explained "that socialism, in general, carries at least a strong impetus toward extreme governmental control, including the confiscation of private property, a disregard for the true nature of the human being, an exaggerated emphasis on material things and a lack of recognition of the importance of charity, personal motivation and the family."

More than half of millennials say they would prefer to live in a socialist than a capitalist country.  Let us educate ourselves with the papal encyclicals, spread the truth — and pray.  - Meaghen Gonzalez

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"If you can feel that staying human is worthwhile, even when it can't have any result whatever, you've beaten them." - George Orwell



New Resources


 
Believing and Seeing Jesus - Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman - Prayers, Poems, Meditations

True faith is what may be called colorless, like air or water.


 
Introduction - Elizabeth Lev - How Catholic Art Saved the Faith: The Triumph of Beauty and Truth in Counter-Reformation Art

"This book will captivate those who love art, the Faith, and great writing." - Father Roger J. Landry, Catholic Voices USA


 
He Is Risen! Evidence Beyond Reasonable Doubt - Regis Nicoll - Crisis

If Christ's bodily resurrection is true, it is the most important event in all of history.  But if it is symbolic, the name Jesus Christ has no more significance than Clark Kent.


 
Remembering Father James V. Schall, an Old-School Jesuit - Geroge Weigel - National Review Online

The faith of the longtime Georgetown professor informed his intellectual work, as his intellect refined his faith.


 
Why Has The West Been So Successful? - Ben Shapiro - Prager University

What makes the West exceptional?


 
What Is Wrong With Socialism? - Donald DeMarco - National Catholic Register

All one has to do is turn to three great papal encyclicals.


 
Heroic Courage and Obedience to God - Father George W. Rutler - From the Pastor

Every writer is familiar with the word "obelism," which refers to an editor's abbreviations in the margins indicating corrections to be made.

Editorials of Interest:

The Sociology of a Superb Sermon - Church Life Journal
Immigration Idealism - First Things
A Baby is Never Convenient - Catholic Stand

Editorials of Interest


Archbishop Chaput: God and Man in an Age of Unbelief - Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Every life comes down to a choice between happiness and comfort.


Pope Francis Accused of Heresy - YouTube

Fr. Fessio on EWTN addresses the problem.


Is the Pope a heretic? The danger of asking the wrong question - Catholic Culture

Was it sheer frustration that prompted a group of Catholic scholars to issue their open letter charging Pope Francis with heresy?


The Sociology of a Superb Sermon - Church Life Journal

It is common knowledge that the homilies offered in many Catholic parishes—how can one say this charitably?—often have a lot of room for improvement.


Problems with Weddings and How We Might Remedy Them - NLM

There is a monumental disconnect between the exalted doctrine of the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage and the disgraceful, if not sacrilegious, manner in which weddings are often conducted.


France's Other Burning Churches - NC Register

Hundreds of other French churches are being quietly burned or damaged mdash; in deliberate attacks.


Immigration Idealism - First Things

It is impossible to understand the Western response to migration without understanding its basis in a certain form of liberal Christianity: a Christianity that reduces the gospel to an abstract law of love, ignoring much of Scripture — and reality.


Mayor Pete's Woke Intolerance - First Things

In the past few weeks, previously obscure South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has become a media darling for throwing punches at Pence because of the vice president's opposition to same-sex marriage.


Google Dumps Top Black, Female Conservative For Believing Men Can’t Be Women - The Federalist

Human beings can't change sex. I'm going to say it until I can't. We all should.


Transgenderism as a Tool of Humiliation - The Catholic Thing

Coercion in one form or another is mandatory anytime a lie is purveyed to the masses. Examples of this are multiplying before our eyes.


What makes men men? (Part I) - Mercatornet

Potentiality for fatherhood is the key to manhood.


A Baby is Never Convenient - Catholic Stand

Openness to life is a good analogy for openness to grace.


Four Things Every Woman Should Know about Birth Control - Public Discourse

A systematic review of the scientific literature indicates that "between three and four hundred women die every year in the United States due to their choice to use hormonal contraception."


Lean Out, Ladies. It's Long Overdue. - Suzanne Venker

After an especially long day and an "epic" tantrum from her 3-year-old, Sarah Buckley Friedberg, a Massachusetts mother of three, posted on Facebook a mock to-do list that society expects of mothers today. The ending was inspired: "I don't know about you, but I'm ready to lean OUT."


Tradition and Fertility in Eastern Europe - First Things

While some claim that Europe's "baby boom" is the result of "retraditionalization" — the push for more traditional values in eastern European countries — the story is more complicated than that.


Truth-telling and Big Abortion - CWR

The pro-life effort to witness to the truth continues in Unplanned, which reminds me of Pope St. Paul VI's comment that modern men and women learn better from witnesses than from teachers.


Why you must rethink how to raise your kids — and where you can begin - The Stream

Sean McDowell and J. Warner Wallace's new book, So the Next Generation Will Know: Preparing Young Christians for a Challenging World offers hope.


'Game of Thrones' Is Porn. Change My Mind. - PJ Media

I think the major component missing in our culture is shame.


The Moral Confusion of Avengers: Endgame - Crisis Magazine

Note: The following Avengers: Endgame movie review contains spoilers.


Why Can't We Get Enough Superheroes? - St. Paul Center

We were made for an adventurous life. All good stories are reflections of the ultimate adventure, which is friendship with Jesus Christ.


Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman and
St. Justin Martyr, pray for us

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