phat catholic apologetics

Catholic Q&A: Part 4

2009-12-02T15:04:00.003-05:00

Here is a recent batch of questions that I answered in the "Catholicism" category at WikiAnswers. Also see Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

What are the material signs of a sacrament?

The material signs of a sacrament are those elements of the sacrament that effect our senses and direct our minds to the spiritual reality that the elements signify.

Each sacrament has its own material signs:
- Baptism: water, oil, candle, white garment
- Confirmation: oil, laying on of hands
- Eucharist: bread, wine
- Reconciliation: the confession of the penitent and the words of absolution from the confessor
- Holy Orders: oil, laying on of hands
- Matrimony: the bride, the groom, the vows they make
- Anointing of the Sick: oil, laying on of hands, water
Where in the Bible do you find the stories of Holy Thursday?

The readings for the Mass on Holy Thursday evening commemorate the Passover, the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and the institution of the priesthood.
- Reading I: Exo 12:1-8, 11-14
  Responsorial Psalm: Psa 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
  Reading II: 1 Cor 11:23-26
  Gospel: Jn 13:1-5
Read these different passages and you'll find the stories of Holy Thursday.

Why do Catholics honor and celebrate the rosary?

Catholics honor and celebrate the rosary because it is a time-tested method of contemplating the significant events of the life of Christ, it is a powerful weapon against the devil, and because it helps to strengthen our relationship with Christ and our devotion to His mother.

What does the priest say at the end of Mass?

He says, “Go in the peace of Christ,” or “The Mass is ended, go in peace,” or “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” We respond by saying, “Thanks be to God!”

Does a saint have only one feast day?

Typically, a saint only has one feast day, but there are a handful of saints who have more than one. For example, St. Peter has three (Feb 22, June 29, Nov 18), St. Paul has three (Jan 25, June 29, Nov 18), and St. Joseph has three (March 19, May 1, Dec 27). Mary has 17 different feast days (!!), at least one in every month except April.

Do you know your faith? Help me tackle some unanswered questions. Of course, if you have any questions of your own, just leave me a comment or send me an email.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Resources for Advent

2009-12-02T13:40:00.003-05:00

Here are some resources for Advent to increase your knowledge of and appreciation for this liturgical season in the life of the Church. It's the Catholic New Year! Let us wait with eager anticipation for the coming of the Savior.

Articles:

From the Vatican: Advent 2008 -- Advent 2009

Advent Workshop:

Audio Files:

Advent Reflections by Archbishop James P. Kelleher: Week 1 -- Week 2 -- Week 3 -- Week 4
Advent Reflections with Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien: Week 1 -- Week 2 -- Week 3
Advent Reflections with Justin Cardinal Rigali: Week 1 -- Week 2 -- Week 3
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. with Fr. Wade Menezes, CPM on Advent and Liturgy
Fr. Frank Pavone on Advent [a short spiritual reflection]
Mother Angelica with Marcus Grodi on Advent
Mother Angelica on Advent: Let Us Repent [see also Advent, 1993]
Fr. Benedict Groeschel on Christ’s Promise: How to Grow in Love for Him at Advent by Reading the Prophets
Doug Berry on The Advent Story in 3-D Radio
Fr. Edward Broom on The Meaning of Advent
Fr. Benedict Groeschel on Advent: Preparing for the Messiah
Fr. Patrick Wainwright on Advent: Reflecting on God's Presence

Videos:

Prepare the Way of the Lord
Advent Preparation
Advent 1 Meditation
Advent 1, Lk 21
Advent Talk: Parts 1, 2, and 3
Advent Vespers
Advent
Celebrating the Seasons of Advent and Lent
Advent Confession
Fr Angelo Geiger Homily Gaudete Sunday 2006: Parts A and B
Angel Voices: Gaudete
Advent Light: Based on Jn 1
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Advent: Take Time, Slow Down, Open Up
Pro-Life Advent Reflections: Part 1

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Pro-Life Advent Reflections: Part 1

2009-11-30T12:17:00.000-05:00

Advent: Take Time, Slow Down, Open Up

2009-11-30T11:25:00.001-05:00

What Is Advent?

2009-11-29T21:11:00.001-05:00

The Modern Catholic Dictionary, by Fr. John A. Hardon provides the following definition:

A period of prayer in preparation for Christmas, including four Sundays, the first nearest the feast of St. Andrew, November 30. It is the beginning of the Church's liturgical year. The use of the organ and other musical instruments is restricted in liturgical functions. However, it is allowed 1. in extraliturgical functions, 2. for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 3. to support singing, and 4. on Gaudete Sunday, feasts and solemnities, and in any extraordinary celebration. Altars may not be decorated with flowers. In the celebration of matrimony, the nuptial blessing is always imparted. But the spouses are advised to take into account the special character of the liturgical season. Masses for various needs and votive Masses for the dead are not allowed unless there is a special need. (Etym. Latin adventus, a coming, approach, arrival.)

Advent marks the beginning of a new year in the Church’s liturgical calendar. It is a time of preparation for and anticipation of the coming of the Lord that we celebrate on Christmas Day. It is an opportunity to place ourselves in the shoes of the Jewish people who waited so long for the coming of the Messiah. It is an opportunity to renew our appreciation for the Incarnation, the moment when the Son of God became man, one like us in all things but sin.

Advent takes on a somber tone, similar to Lent, because our minds are focused on what life is like without Christ, without God’s entrance into our world. Of course, in waiting for this coming of the Lord, Advent takes on an eschatological tone as well since, as Christians, we also await the Second Coming, when Jesus will come again and make all things new.

Unfortunately, the same world that God so desired to save can often squelch the spirit of Advent that we are called to embrace. If we are somber it is not because we anxiously await the coming of the Lord, it is because traffic to the mall is backed up, Wal-Mart is all out of Nintendo Wii’s, and the kids are yelling in the back seat because they want to go see Santa Claus. It’s easy in times like this to forget what Christmas is really all about.

This is where Advent comes in. Once we understand Advent for what it is truly meant to be, it can be the antidote to the stress that often accompanies the holiday season. Advent calls us to refocus are minds back to what is important and to remember again the true reason for the season.

Over 2,000 years ago, God asked a virgin a simple question: “Will you let me use you to bring my Son to the world? Will you give me your flesh, your life, your time, your entire being?” In a sense, this is the same question that God asks us today, and Advent is a time to prepare ourselves so that when God wishes to come through us, we like Mary, will be able to say “Yes” to Him.

Let's also remember that with Advent's past significance (in the Incarnation) and future significance (in the Parousia) is also a present reality. Jesus comes, here and now, wherever the Eucharist is celebrated. In a sense, every Mass is a new Advent, and it only makes sense that, during this time of preparation, we should remain close to Christ in the Eucharist. It is in that advent that He is preparing us for the advent that awaits the end of time.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Catholic Q&A: Part 3

2009-11-28T14:55:00.003-05:00

Here is a recent batch of questions that I answered in the "Catholicism" category at WikiAnswers. Also see Part 1 and Part 2.

What is proper behavior in a Catholic church both before and after Mass?

One should act reverently in a Catholic church both before and after Mass, and even when Mass is not being celebrated, because the Eucharist is present.

When a Catholic first enters the church building, he dips his fingers in the holy water font and makes the Sign of the Cross. Once he finds the pew in which he would like to sit, he genuflects towards the tabernacle, makes the Sign of the Cross, and enters the pew. Once in the pew, he kneels in prayer, preparing himself spiritually for the Mass that is soon to begin. Silence is observed from the moment he enters the Church, so as not to distract anyone in their prayer.

Once Mass has ended and the priest has left the sanctuary, then one is free to go, although it is praiseworthy to sing the entire closing song (or "recessional hymn"). Once the song has ended, it is customary (although not required) to kneel in the pew and say a prayer of thanksgiving, or the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. When the Catholic exits the pew, he genuflects towards the tabernacle, makes the Sign of the Cross, and then approaches one of the exits. Before leaving, he dips his fingers in the holy water font and makes the Sign of the Cross. Silence is observed once the closing song is finished, so as not to distract anyone in their prayer.

Which sacrament is the greatest?

The Church's greatest sacrament, the source and summit of her faith and worship, is the Eucharist.

How is the Catholic bible different from other bibles?

The Catholic Bible is different from other Bibles in that it contains 7 more books (Sirach, Tobit, Wisdom, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and Baruch) as well as additions to Daniel and Esther.

What are the four main parts of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Those are contrition, confession, absolution, and satisfaction. To learn about each one, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1450-1460.

Who is called to defend the Catholic Church?

All Catholics are called to defend the Church, and are empowered by the sacraments to do that very thing.

Do you know your faith? Help me tackle some unanswered questions. Of course, if you have any questions of your own, just leave me a comment or send me an email.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Catholic Q&A: Part 2

2009-11-27T14:49:00.002-05:00

Here is a recent batch of questions that I answered in the "Catholicism" category at WikiAnswers. Also see Part 1.

What is the idol of gold that the Israelites created?

You may be referring to the golden calf that the Jews created once they began to doubt that Moses would ever come down from Mt. Sinai. You can read about the creation and destruction of the golden calf in chapter 32 of the Book of Exodus, from the Old Testament of the Bible.

Does a Catholic have to confess to a priest before receiving Communion?

If a Catholic has committed a mortal sin, then he must confess this sin to a priest in the Sacrament of Confession before he can receive Communion. If he has committed only venial sins, then he is free to receive Communion without going to Confession, and his reception of Communion will actually result in the forgiveness of those venial sins.

Who painted the Sistine Chapel?

Many of the greatest Renaissance artists of the day are responsible for the paintings that adorn the Sistine Chapel: Michaelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Roseli, Luca Signorelli, and others. Of all these, Michelangelo is most often associated with the Chapel, thanks to the dramatic scenes that he painted on its ceiling.

Who were the most influential figures of the Catholic Reformation?

There are many saints who were influential in renewing the Catholic Church around the time of the Council of Trent. These include St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Pius V, St. Francis de Sales, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Philip Neri.

What does the water represent in baptism?

Water is a very rich symbol in baptism. It represents death in that when you go under the water this is symbolic of a death to your old, sinful self. It represents life in that when you come out of the water, this is symbolic of a resurrection to new life. Water is symbolic of spiritual rebirth, since, just as we are physically born when we come out of the water of the womb, we are "born again" when we come out of the waters of baptism. Water is also symbolic of cleansing. Just as regular water cleanses dirt from our bodies, the water of baptism cleanses us of sin. Finally, water itself is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit since it is the Spirit that causes the various effects of baptism that are symbolized by the water.

Do you know your faith? Help me tackle some unanswered questions. Of course, if you have any questions of your own, just leave me a comment or send me an email.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T10:00:00.005-05:00

Here are some articles to help you appreciate this holiday and the virtue of thanksgiving that, as Christians, we are all called to embrace. I hope you all have a relaxing day.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

What Does the Eucharist Have to Do with Thanksgiving?

2009-11-25T14:51:00.003-05:00

Recently, I tweeted that I wished more people thought about the Eucharist when they celebrated Thanksgiving. In response, one of my followers asked me, "What's the Eucharist got to do with Thanksgiving? Maybe I'm missing something, but I thought it was a day created by the Protestants. Besides, isn't it like the 4th of July -- a national holiday celebrating America?"

To answer his question, the word "eucharist" come from the Greek word that means, "thanksgiving." In Jn 6:11, before Christ multiplied the loaves and the fishes (an act that prefigures the Eucharistic feast), it says He "gave thanks" (eucharisteo). At the Last Supper, when He institutes the Eucharist, it says again that he "gave thanks" (eucharisteo) before He turned the bread and wine into His own Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity (cf. Mt 26:27; Mk 14:23; Lk 22:17,19).

We use this word to refer to the Body of Christ that we receive in Holy Communion because it is in every way a moment of thanksgiving: It is Jesus thanking the Father for those of us who the Father has given Him to be united to Him through reception of the Eucharist and for the opportunity to perform the miracle that brings Him glory, and it is us thanking God for coming to dwell within us in such a profound way through the Eucharist.

That our Lord and Savior would come to be in our presence, veiled by the bread and wine, and come to abide in us in a substantial way is a gift unlike any other. And so, on Thanksgiving, when we are to call to mind all that we are thankful for, we should not forget that which is the very meaning of "thanksgiving."

I realize that, historically, the secular holiday has Protestant roots, but there's no reason why Catholics can't use this day to call to mind what they are (or should be) the most thankful for: our Eucharistic Lord.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

For the Solemnity of Christ the King

2009-11-22T15:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of Jesus Christ our King and Savior, upon the conclusion of the liturgical year, I present the following articles:

Articles:

Prayers

ALL HAIL CHRIST OUR KING!!

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Catholic Q&A: Part 1

2009-11-19T13:53:00.000-05:00

Here is a recent batch of questions that I answered in the "Catholicism" category at WikiAnswers. I do this from time to time because I think it's good to get the right information out there when it comes to the Catholic Church, and because it also serves as good material for my weekly column in my church bulletin.

Does First Communion come before Confirmation?

It depends on when your diocese has chosen to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation. In the United States, Confirmation can be celebrated anywhere between the age of reason (7 yrs) and age 16. So, if your diocese celebrates Confirmation in the second or third grade, then it will come before First Communion. But, if your diocese celebrates Confirmation in the eighth grade, then it would come after First Communion.

What is the mystical process in which the bread and wine become Jesus?

That “mystical process” is called transubstantiation.

What is man’s earthly purpose?

According to the old Baltimore Catechism, man was made to know, love, and serve God in this life, and to be with him in the next.

Who was the first Catholic bishop?

The Catholic Church believes that the first bishops were the 12 apostles themselves. It's difficult to say which, from among the 12, became a bishop first. Perhaps it is Peter, who Jesus built His Church upon (cf. Mt 16:18).

When did the Holy Spirit originate?

The Holy Spirit is God. This means that He has no beginning or end. Thus, there is no point in time in which we can say that the Holy Spirit first came to be and there is no point in time in which we can say that the Holy Spirit did not exist.

When did Roman Catholicism begin?

The Catholic Church considers Her origin to be on the day of Pentecost, around 33 AD, when Jesus poured out His Holy Spirit upon the apostles and disciples in the Upper Room. It was this Spirit that gave the Apostles the courage to preach the Gospel with boldness and to establish local churches wherever they traveled.

Who was the first one to call the Church “Catholic”?

The first instance that historians have found of someone referring to the "Catholic Church" is in Ignatius of Antioch's Letter to the Smyrneans, where he writes, "Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop or by one whom he ordains [i.e., a presbyter]. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."

Do you know your faith? Help me tackle some unanswered questions. Of course, if you have any questions of your own, just leave me a comment or send me an email.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

How to Read the Bible

2009-11-19T12:18:00.001-05:00

Should the Bible be taken literally? Is any of it metaphor?

Well, it depends. Besides the literal sense of Scripture there is also a spiritual sense. This in turn is divided into the allegorical, moral, and anagogical senses. Each one brings a different layer of meaning to the text.

The literal sense is the sense that the human author wished to convey to his immediate audience. Once one considers the historical context in which the author lived, exactly who he was writing to, the circumstances in which they lived, and the purpose for his writing, then one is able to derive the literal sense of the text.

The spiritual sense is the meaning that the divine author – God, the Holy Spirit – wishes to convey to mankind in every age. It is the meaning that is found in a passage once that passage is read in the light of Christ and of Christian revelation. The allegorical, moral, and anagogical senses are all spiritual senses of Scripture.

The allegorical sense is the one in which persons, objects and actions depicted in a text are taken as representing other things not present in the text. With the allegorical sense, Moses becomes a type of Christ in his intercessory role for the people. The snake he raised up to heal them becomes an image of Christ crucified.

The moral sense is that element of Scripture that teaches us how to live rightly. As St. Paul says, “These things ... were written down for our instruction” (1 Cor 10:11). Within all of the suffering that the Jewish people had to endure is a moral lesson for us, to strive to do the will of the Lord in all things.

The anagogical sense provides the eternal significance to the realities and events of Scripture. It shows the reader that Scripture has an end in sight. Scripture not only speaks of the author’s day and of our own circumstance, but also of that final culmination of history, when Jesus Christ will make all things new.

Knowing now that there are multiple senses of Scripture, we must also keep in mind that Scripture is made up of many genres or styles of writing, such as history, poetry, parable, song, apocalypse, narrative, prophecy, etc. Once you know the genre of a writing then you know how best to understand it. For example, since the Book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature, we know that it is highly symbolic and thus we don’t think for a second that an actual dragon will appear with seven heads and ten horns when the world comes to an end (cf. Rev 12:3). Instead, we try to figure out what that dragon symbolizes.

Once you consider the multiple senses of a passage and the style in which it was written then you can capture the full breadth of meaning to be found in that passage.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Defending the Book of Maccabees

2009-11-18T13:13:00.003-05:00

A friend recently told me that the Book of Maccabees shouldn’t be in the Bible because it has prayers for the dead in it. How should I respond to that?

There are a handful of books in the Catholic bible that are not included in Protestant bibles. These are Sirach, Tobit, Wisdom, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and Baruch, as well as additions to Daniel and Esther. Protestants refer to these books as the “apocrypha,” or the “apocryphal books.” One reason why these books are excluded is because Protestants find in them various doctrines or practices that are supposedly at odds with the rest of Scripture. Your friend is using that argument, and there are at least two ways to respond to it.

One approach is to defend the practice of praying for the dead. After all, your friend is assuming that there is something wrong with praying for the dead, when in fact it is perfectly fine. Catholics pray for the dead because we believe in the reality of Purgatory, the state of being cleansed by God of any remaining impurities before we enter heaven. Souls undergoing this purging can benefit from our prayers because death does not separate us from the Body of Christ. As members of one Body, we can pray for each other and offer up our hardships for one another. A lengthy defense from Scripture is usually necessary before one can convince most Protestants that praying for the dead is a legitimate practice. Read the Catechism on these subjects, as well as a few articles from Catholic.com and you can find all the verses you need. You may also consider a different approach.

Another way to tackle this is to simply show your friend that prayers for the dead can be found in his Bible as well as the Catholic one. I like this approach because it turns his argument against him. Now, in order to be consistent, he has to start tearing out books that no one in his right mind would ever dream of excluding! Elijah (cf. 1 Kings 17:20-22), Peter (cf. Acts 9:40), and even Jesus himself (cf. John 11:41-43) are all seen praying for the dead in books that are well established in Protestant bibles. It is true that the prayer is for the person to come back to life. But, that doesn't change the fact that the soul of a dead person is still being prayed for, which, according to Protestants, is strictly forbidden. Note also that, in order for these souls to return to their bodies, they must have been in an intermediate state, since heaven and hell are irrevocable and eternal judgments. This is what "prayer for the dead" is: prayer for souls in this intermediate state. Also, in 2 Tim 1:16-18, Paul prays for the soul of Onesiphorus, that he will find mercy on the day of Judgment. So, prayer for the dead is certainly to be found in the Protestant bible.

This same two-fold approach can be used to defend the legitimacy of the other “apocryphal” books as well. If you have never read them before, I highly suggest you do!

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Mary's Fiat and Magnificat

2009-11-18T13:04:00.003-05:00

I always hear people speak of Mary’s “fiat” and her “magnificat.” What are these things?

Mary’s fiat is found in Lk 1:38. It is her “yes” to God, which she declared once the Angel explained to her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Her specific words were, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word.” In Latin, it is, "Ecce ancilla Domini; fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum." The Latin word for “be it done” (or “let it be done”) is fiat, so that is the name used by scholars to refer to Mary’s response to the angel.

Mary’s fiat is special because it is through this act of humble submission to the will of God that the Son of God makes his entrance into human history, taking on a human nature and becoming one like us in all things but sin. It is an example to us of obedience and a lively faith in the Lord. Just imagine if all people responded to the will of the Lord by saying, “Let it be done!”

The magnificat, also called the “canticle of Mary,” is the song of praise proclaimed by Mary after Elizabeth rejoiced at Mary coming to visit her. It is from Lk 1:46-55:

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."

The first few words in Latin are, "Magnificat anima mea Dominum . . .” so that is why these words of Mary are referred to as the magnificat. This canticle is noteworthy because it is a beautiful example of praise and thanksgiving to God for all that He has done for His people and for those in need. We tend to only pray to God in our down times. We could all learn a lesson from Mary here and redouble our efforts to pray to the Lord in good times as well as in bad.

Most people don’t know what the fiat or the magnificat is because they aren’t familiar with Latin. But, Latin is a revered language that the Church has been using in her worship and her authoritative documents for many centuries. It is good to know at least a few Latin words, at least for the simple purpose of preserving our Catholic traditions and ways of speaking.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Fr. Benedict Groeschel: Saint in Our Midst

2009-11-10T11:04:00.000-05:00

Short Video of My Wedding

2009-11-05T19:24:00.004-05:00

Here's a little preview of the wedding video that Amy and I had made. I am told it is not finished yet, but it will give you some indication of the joy of that day. The song in the background is "Book of Love," by Peter Gabriel. It was the song that Amy and I chose for our first dance. Oh, and the two testimonials at the end of the video were recorded towards the end of the reception, when Amy and I both were about to pass out from exhaustion.

Thank you Lord for my beautiful wife.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

NBC Tackles the Abortion Issue

2009-11-03T16:07:00.002-05:00

Check out this amazing clip from an episode of Law and Order: SVU

I never saw the episode myself, so I don't know what the verdict ends up being. But, as it stands by itself, this clip does a good job of exposing a little bit of the horror of the abortion industry. The whole reason the defense attorney is frustrated is because he knows that the jury has just been awakened to that horror and he will be hard-pressed to create the cognitive dissonance necessary for the jury to not feel completely repulsed by what the doctor has done.

I'm surprised that this episode even saw the light of day. What do you think? Leave a comment and let me know.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Planned Parenthood's Declaration of Debauchery

2009-11-01T10:33:00.001-05:00

Halloween and All Saints/Souls Day

2009-10-31T11:00:00.000-04:00

There is much confusion about the origins of Halloween, and about what the Church celebrates on and around this day. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to make sense of it all. As a result, I offer the following links to articles and other resources that will help you to learn more about these holidays, and to defend them against the oh-so-typical charge that Catholics are pagans (in case you're wondering, we're not). I say Protestants just don't know how to throw a party like we do! (evidence here)

Have fun everyone! Be holy!

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Catholics Come Home

2009-10-25T20:23:00.000-04:00

The Truth About the Senate Bill

2009-10-25T14:02:00.000-04:00

Going to the Chapel

2009-10-19T13:29:00.001-04:00

.... and I'm gonna get married.

About to drive to Louisville to take the plane to Maine. Please pray for me that the trip goes well. Me and planes don't get along very well.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

SoulWow: Removes Stains .... from Your Soul

2009-10-15T21:41:00.001-04:00

October: Month of the Rosary

2009-10-08T11:06:00.001-04:00

In honor of the most Holy Rosary, which we take up as our sword and shield particularly during this month of October, I have collected the following resources for your edification:

General Articles

A Brief History of the Rosary

Family Rosary in the Irish Home

How to Recite the Holy Rosary

Light for the World: New Mysteries for an Old Prayer Form

Little Rosary of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini

New Advent: The Rosary

New Mysteries for the Rosary

Pope Calls for a Rediscovery of the Rosary

Pray the Rosary, Enter Deeply Into the Mystery

Praying the Rosary

Rosary Scripture Citations (a Word doc)

St. Louis de Montfort's The Rosary

The Garden Way of the Rosary

The Rosary

The Rosary and the Christian Wake

The Rosary Dissected

The Rosary in History: From the Beginning to the Consolidation of its Actual Structure

The Rosary Encyclicals (go here for a summary of the Rosary encyclicals)

Adiutricem (On The Rosary)

Consueverunt Romani (On the Rosary)

Diuturni Temporis (On The Rosary)

Fidentem Piumque Animum (On The Rosary)

Grata Recordatio (On The Rosary)

Ingravescentibus Malis (On The Rosary)

Ingruentium Malorum (On Reciting The Rosary)

Iucunda Semper Expectatione (On The Rosary)

Laetitiae Sanctae (Commending Devotion To The Rosary)

Magnae Dei Matris (On The Rosary)

Octobri Mense (On The Rosary)

Rosarium Virginis Mariae (On the Most Holy Rosary)

Supremi Apostolatus Officio (On Devotion Of The Rosary)

Rosary Apologetics

Common Questions and Concerns about the Rosary

Not In Vain: Repitition and the Rosary

All Mothers Are Alike....Save One

Devotion to Mary Is the Result of Devotion to Her Son....and Vice Versa

Did Jesus Renounce Marian Devotion? (Lk 11:27-28)

Don't Confuse Catholic Poetry with Catholic Doctrine

How to Explain Mary to a Sola Scriptura Protestant

Is Mary a Pagan Goddess?

Is Mary Worshiped By Catholics?: The Latria/Dulia Distinction

Is the "Catholic" Mary an Imitation of Ancient Pagan Goddesses?

Mariology?

Mary Worshippers Need Not Apply

Mary: Seventh-Day Misconceptions

The Original KJV Honors Mary

Why Don't We See Marian Devotion in Paul's Epistles?

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic

Hiding Behind Hyde

2009-10-01T10:49:00.003-04:00

For more information on how exactly the Hyde Amendment does not apply to the House Health Care Reform Bill, go to www.StopHyding.com

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic