M.C. Holbrook is a homeschooling mother of ten and author of the series, The Safe Haven: Scriptural Reflections for the Heart and Home. Originally from New York City, Holbrook received a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from New York University. Holbrook enjoys meals with her family, prayer with her friends, and a hot cup of coffee each morning with the Word of God. Jealousy is one of the most insidious of vices because, much like envy, there is absolutely no satisfaction in it. Each moment is spent in …
St. Catherine of Siena and leaving the Church
Thomas McDermott, OP, is a Dominican of the Province of St. Albert the Great and pastor of the Catholic Center at Purdue University. He is the author of several books on spirituality and Catherine of Siena, including Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching (Paulist, 2008). In the wake of so many clerical sex abuse scandals, to many people the Catholic Church appears hypocritical and bankrupt morally and spiritually. In the midst of such trying times, how can Catholics justify remaining in the Church? The words and deeds of St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), who lived during an earlier crisis, …
An Open Letter to Archbishop Bruno Forte
Reverend Peter M.J. Stravinskas founded The Catholic Answer in 1987 and The Catholic Response in 2004, as well as the Priestly Society of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, a clerical association of the faithful, committed to Catholic education, liturgical renewal, and the new evangelization. Father Stravinskas is also the President of the Catholic Education Foundation, an organization that serves as a resource for heightening the Catholic identity of Catholic schools. “I was stunned to read of your recent attack on those who receive Holy Communion on the tongue. Even more so because you used an Easter homily to launch that assault…” Your Grace, I was …
‘The courage to be candid’ – Chaput on Francis, and what’s next
Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap., is the emeritus archbishop of Philadelphia, a long-time leader among American bishops, and an influential voice among American Catholics for decades. The archbishop spoke with The Pillar this week about the Francis papacy and what he thinks the Church needs now. You met Pope Francis almost 30 years ago —1997 — when you were both diocesan bishops, and you’ve said you were impressed by him then, and continued to regard him warmly. What attributes of Francis can the Church learn from? He had a naturally generous instinct toward the people he met, and he understood the nature …
Lenten lessons from Saint Peter
John M. Grondelski (Ph.D., Fordham) was a former associate dean of the School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. He publishes regularly in the National Catholic Register and in theological journals. All views expressed herein are exclusively his own. Jesus doesn’t deny Peter, though Peter denied Jesus. And Peter eventually learned the eternal value of contrition. This week’s Lenten focus on conversion and the old Confiteor takes us to “the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul.” I always liked the description an Australian priest friend once applied to them: they were “two guys with histories.” And, in some ways, not particularly nice guys. …
Concerns about Amoris Laetitia’s Chapter Eight: A Reply to Pedro Gabriel
Fr. Peter Ryan, SJ is the Blessed Michael J. McGivney Chair in Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and served as executive director of the Secretariat of Doctrine and Canonical Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2013 to 2016. Since the publication of Amoris Laetitia nine years ago, faithful Catholics from all quarters of the Church have expressed concern about the confusion that has followed the Exhortation’s eighth chapter (AL8). We share that concern and have explained why in our recent essay The Doctrinal Implications of Amoris Laetitia’s Chapter Eight.” We did not delve into this matter lightly and certainly …
On the obsessive grievances and perpetual rupturing of liberal “reformers”
Dr. Larry Chapp is a retired professor of theology. He taught for twenty years at DeSales University near Allentown, Pennsylvania. He now owns and manages, with his wife, the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm in Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania. Dr. Chapp received his doctorate from Fordham University in 1994 with a specialization in the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar. He can be visited online at “Gaudium et Spes 22”. The presumption is that vast swaths of Church practice and doctrine “must” change lest the Church fall into irrelevance to “modern man”—that is, secular and Western man. America Magazine recently ran an article …
In defense of the synodal critics
Dr. Larry Chapp is a retired professor of theology. He taught for twenty years at DeSales University near Allentown, Pennsylvania. He now owns and manages, with his wife, the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm in Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania. Dr. Chapp received his doctorate from Fordham University in 1994 with a specialization in the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar The issues involved in the current synod are foundational in nature, just as in St. Augustine’s time, and involve theologically incommensurate understandings of Christology, anthropology, ecclesiology, and soteriology. The senior writer at Commonweal magazine, Paul Baumann, has penned a thoughtful essay, titled “Pope Francis & …
Archbishop of San Francisco: resolution of St. Junipero Serra statue desecration case is ‘direct opposite’ of restorative justice
The Archbishop of San Francisco responded to the resolution of the desecration case of a statue of St. Junipero Serra, where the vandals were charged with a misdemeanor. In an article published in Marin Voice, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone explained that the perpetrators were charged with a misdemeanor because, according to the District Attorney, the perpetrators participated in restorative justice. “Restorative justice seeks to bring about reconciliation between offender and victim after a criminal conviction,” said the Archbishop. “It holds out the potential for much healing when conducted honestly and faithfully, but can bring even greater hurt to victims when not.” After …
Cardinal Burke: Reverence for the Eucharist Will Transform Us
‘He’s given us his own Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity to nourish his life within us. What a difference that has to make in our daily life.’ Johnnette Benkovic Williams InterviewsAugust 31, 2024 Editor’s Note: Cardinal Raymond Burke joined Johnnette Benkovic Williams on EWTN’s Women of Grace, discussing several topics. In the excerpt below, the cardinal discusses his deep understanding of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and how Catholics must be worthy to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord. We are visiting with His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Burke. He’s given us a wonderful book. …