Many years ago, when I was in the process of becoming Catholic, I read Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Catholic Answers president and founder, Karl Keating. It was in that book that I first came across a popular quote by Bishop Fulton Sheen that is often repeated today by Catholics discussing the phenomenon of anti-Catholic bigotry:
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If I were to compile a list titled "Common Catholic Misconceptions of the Catholic Faith," near the top would have to be this Catholic misconception about the nature of sanctity:
The saints are to be considered perfect in their earthly lives, to such an extent that all that they did while in this life is considered right, just, and necessary for Catholics to imitate in their own lives.
We see this misconception play out in the multitude of ecclesial...
In 2005, I was in a colleague's office when another colleague came running down the hall, breathlessly announcing, "There's white smoke!" I ran for a radio in my office, but an announcement came over the intercom. "We're gathering in the conference room!" Table and chairs were shoved aside, people stood or sat on the floor, all eyes were glued to a tiny TV set that had very poor reception.
When "Josephum" was announced as the new pope's first name, I sucked in my breath. At the word...
By nature I tend to be a rather contrary person. Or, as my father sometimes put it, I tend to end up "crosswise in the door" when told that a particular direction is one in which I must go. Perhaps then it is no surprise that I kind of liked wearing a veil to Mass . . . until I was told I had to do it. Ever since then the subject makes me bristle.
The first time I wore a headcovering to Mass was soon after my conversion in 1996. A friend invited me to a diocesan-approved Tridentine...
I sometimes wonder what the real St. Valentine, probably a third-century Roman martyr but no one knows for certain, would think of what's become of his feast day. Not only is the tradition of celebrating romantic love tenuously connected to what is told about this saint, but the day's name is often stripped of its sanctity. We never refer to March 17 as "Patrick's Day," but somehow February 14 became...
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"That is our desire, to be tortured for Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and so to be saved, for that will give us salvation and firm confidence at the more terrible universal tribunal of Our Lord and Savior."
