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October 7, 2020

Note from the Assistant Managing Editor:

Our reflection this week is from Thomas A Kempis' The Imitation of Christ, and has the rhythm of the Prayer of St. Francis.  "Bear with others, and they will bear with you; excuse others, and you, too, will be excused.  Have compassion on the sinner, and compassion will be yours.  Comfort the mournful, and you will be comforted by one in joy.  Raise one who has fallen, and by the help of God you, too, shall be raised up..."

"Today's hostility toward those who support Catholic teaching should concern every practicing Catholic — and anyone who values the First Amendment.  If attacks on belief are an acceptable standard by which to impugn judicial nominees today, then tomorrow they'll be used on the rest of us who uphold the teachings of our faith."  Archbishop Charles Chaput writes about the far-reaching consequences of the attacks on belief we are seeing play out in judicial nominee hearings, particularly in the case of Amy Coney Barrett.  See "When the dogma lives loudly."

The last piece I'd like to bring to your attention is "On Cultural Marxism" by Rev. Joseph Koterski.  It's a long read, but worth every word (and Whittaker Chambers fans will love the ribbon of Witness woven throughout!).  "Where classical marxism focused on capitalist economics and championed class warfare between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, cultural marxism has broadened its perspective to champion the cause of various 'oppressed minorities' in their struggle against 'majorities' and 'privileged' groups that are deemed their 'oppressors.'"

Happy feast of St. Faustina! - Meaghen Gonzalez



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"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell



New Resources


 
Seeing Clearly - Venerable Thomas à Kempis - The Imitation of Christ

Since we are all called by this one God, redeemed by one price, and imbued by the one Spirit, let us then endeavor to love and serve one another.


 
When the dogma lives loudly - The Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. - First Things

When Sen. Dianne Feinstein grilled federal circuit court nominee — and now Supreme Court nominee — Amy Coney Barrett three years ago, she fretted that "the dogma lives loudly within you. And that's of concern."


 
On Cultural Marxism - Father Joseph W. Koterski, S.J. - Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly

Why do so many people — not only academics but well-meaning people in general, and in a curious way, so many religious — not see marxism as problematic?


 
Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko - Heather King - Magnificat

Father Popiełuszko's courage and integrity were astounding.


 
Proof of the Resurrection - Peter Kreeft - from Fundamentals of the Faith

If Jesus did not really rise from the dead who started the Resurrection myth and why?  What profit did the liars get out of their lie?


 
Old Woman with a Rosary (1895-1896) - Father Paul Anel - Magnificat

"Old Woman with a Rosary" by Paul Cézanne was donated by the artist to the poet Joachim Gasquet,


 
Sorry, Liar. You ain't God - Father George W. Rutler - From the Pastor

One cannot imagine a pink and white baby cherub in a state of neglected dress having to say, "Fear not."

Editorials of Interest


The providential demise of the Papal States - CWR

Civil governance of a considerable territory by a clerical caste had, over time, proven an obstacle to Catholicism's evangelical, catechetical, and sanctifying missions.


The See of Peter in a dark and troubled age - CWR

A review of Russell Shaw's Eight Popes and the Crisis of Modernity.


On Raising Young Traditional Catholics, Without the Traditional Mass - OnePeter5

What can a family do if they are unable to move close to a TLM, or travel weekly to attend one? Can parents realistically raise children in a traditional Catholic life in these circumstances?


Padre Pio and the Wounds of Christ - CWR

The witness of the stigmatists gives us palpable reminders of that fact and challenges us to live accordingly, stigmatists that we are.


Becciu accused of sending Vatican funds to Australia during Pell trial - CNA

Italian media have reported allegations that Cardinal Angelo Becciu transferred several hundred thousand euros from Vatican accounts to an account in Australia during the trial of Cardinal George Pell.


Religious Freedom Is On Your Ballot - NC Register

Now is the time for us to stand up for the place of full-throated Catholic belief in public life and the valuable contributions of people of faith to society.


Amy Barrett and the relationship between religion and politics - CWR

What makes religious conviction "practically meaningless" in modern liberalism stems not from a separation of politics and religion. Rather, religion becomes subsumed within the political.


Training the will on the football field - First Things

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen once remarked that the football field is the only place on a school campus that trains the will.


Dad, deacon, lawyer: Amy Coney Barrett's father shares his testimony of faith - CWR

In a personal testimony of faith, Deacon Coney shared how "pivotal moments" of his life came to shape his life and his relationship with God.


The Essential Scalia is a comprehensive collection of originalist thought - CWR

Scalia put together what is incontestably the most consequential body of jurisprudence in our time, and it will without question have lasting influence.


Supreme Court Justices Say Obergefell a 'Problem' for Religious Liberty - National Catholic Register

Justice Thomas and Justice Alito added that the Obergefell ruling "enables courts and governments" to label believers in traditional marriage "as bigots, making their religious liberty concerns that much easier to dismiss."


Law, Religion, and Coronavirus in the United States: A Six-Month Assessment - ICLRS

Thoughtful reflections on the implications for law and religion in the United States' crises of the past six months: the coronavirus pandemic and economic and racial justice emergencies.


PragerU: Never Apologize to the Mob - YouTube

What once was the start of healthy debate is now just as often a catalyst for personal and professional destruction. "The mob" is out to cancel anyone who crosses it. Paris Dennard describes the problem and offers a solution.


The Disappearing Religious Minority Women And Girls In Pakistan - Religion Unplugged

In Pakistan alone, more than 1,000 women and girls from Hindu and Christian communities are abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and forcefully married to their captors every year.


I Want To Burden My Loved Ones - First Things

To live or to die? When the time comes, Gilbert Meilaender wants his fate in his family's hands, not his own.


'I was beyond being damaged': An interview with philosopher John Finnis - Catholic Herald

We meet in a restaurant in Oxford, his first outing for months thanks to the pandemic, where we can sit outside.


Ask Auntie Leila: Dating rules for teenagers? - LMLD

If you want your children to have the wherewithal to have a good chance at being able to respond to what God is calling them to do, you have to get to the heart of things.


Choosing Color: Should We Reject Modern Chemically-Created Pigments? - NLM

Some who do not paint might imagine that there is a range of colors available to artists that match everything you see in the world around us.


Literary Helpdesk: Lolita Edition - Catholic Herald

Can one do the evil thing one is critiquing in order to critique it?


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

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