Bravest Thing (He Ever Did)

A suitable subtitle to this is perhaps: blessed are the clean of heart. The updated policy included several explanations on how to clean a church building after someone has entered it. Physically cleanse it, I mean. The local ordinary for my diocese, Bishop Albert Thevenot, made waves recently by stating that in his diocese a bride and groom had to stay 2 metres apart at weddings (and hence should not get married). Initially I wrote about it at OnePeterFive . However, when Phil Lawler and LifeSiteNews picked up on the story, it exploded. Bishop Albert has issued an update. Fair is fair, and it behooves me to ensure people know that social distancing for the betrothed is no longer required . Thanks be to God. But first, some highlights from his letter issued May 22 : - “When attending a gathering indoors, you must register upon your arrival. Registration sheets must include printed name, phone number or email address. Remember to bring your own pen.” I think of how the name...

The purpose of this post is not to take shots at the perturbed Fr. Larry Richards, who wrote a book titled Be a Man . Though I do write this with a mind towards those who insist we are "an Easter people" without any real inclination of what that entails, nor the path one must trod to live as such. Rather, let us simply look to Christ to find out what a real man, especially a husband and father, is. Jesus was laid on a cross. His arms were most likely dislocated as the Roman soldiers stretched them into place. His hands and feet were then nailed to, as St. Alphonsus Ligouri calls, "this infamous gibbet." Hands are rather delicate, and contain some of the most sensitive nerves in the body. These nerves pass through the wrist. The Romans knew this, and knew how to puncture the palms, into the main core of nerves near the wrist, when crucifying a man. It is said that the burst of pain from this puncture is comparable to a woman giving birth. It is also sa...

At Catholic News Agency it was reported that Pope Francis wants marriage preparation stepped up. " “One cannot say marriage preparation is three or four conferences given in the parish. This is not preparation, [...] preparation must be mature and it takes time. It is not a formal act; it is a sacrament,” This is welcome news. As I ranted in my last post , marriage preparation courses usually do not adequately prepare couples for marriage. Priests have six years of seminary. Teachers have five years of university. Engaged couples have... one subpar weekend of lectures and activities?  Photo Credit: Catholic Herald (UK) All of which begs the question: Why did Pope Francis conduct an impromptu wedding aboard a flight back in January?