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Particularly inspiring in this Year of Mercy, here is an extraordinary letter written by a young nun, Sister Lucy Vertrusc, to her mother superior. Sister Vertrusc became pregnant after she was raped in 1995 during the war in the former Yugoslavia. The letter appeared in an Italian newspaper at the behest of her Mother Superior. […]
The Poignant but Triumphant Story of the Yugoslavian Nun Who Was Raped Read More »
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Mark Shea is a blogger, book author, Catholic speaker and a self-proclaimed ‘double jump convert’ – first from an agnostic pagan to non-denominational Evangelical, and then to the Catholic Church. Many of us were converted from his wonderful apologetics work from Ignatius Press, By What Authority: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition. Mark Shea
20 Times Mark Shea Blew Us Away at the National Catholic Register Read More »
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In August of 2016, both The Washington Post and Business Insider chronicled the financial success of Rob and Sam Fatzinger, a dynamic husband and wife team, and how they have managed to raise their thirteen children debt-free in one of the most expensive regions in the United States. These two articles are very worthwhile, both
From Surviving to Thriving with 13 Kids: Inspiration from a Faithful Catholic Family Read More »
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I’ve been a writer and scribbler since forever. In high school, I wrote a column for the school paper called “Teetering on the Brink”. Later, I was an English major and cranked out papers like there was no tomorrow. After that, I became a Catholic and the Holy Spirit, like, instantly started driving me to
What I Do When I’m Struggling With Fiction Read More »
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If you haven’t seen it by now, there’s a great Nike commercial going around featuring Madonna Buder, nicknamed the “Iron Nun”. Check it out: In typical Nike fashion, the video is well executed and inspirational, but I love that it features an athlete that isn’t one of the typical, beautiful, young, we-already-know-how-good-they-are, Nike athletes. No,
Before you get on the Nike-Madonna Buder bandwagon, read this Read More »
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A re-make of the 1959 classic, Ben-Hur tells the epic tale of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a wealthy Jew, and his adopted brother Messala Severus (Toby Kebbell), a Roman. Eight years prior to the Crucifixion of Jesus, the latter brother, feeling he needs to prove himself, leaves their home in Jerusalem and joins the Roman
Surprise! Ben-Hur Evangelizes the whole crowd Read More »
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The title of this post should read more like the beginning of a corny joke. Three Catholic men and a Protestant cowboy go camping… This last weekend, me and 3 good friends ventured out into the wilderness for some good old fashion wife & kid-free fun. My wife is a pro-life advocate and public speaker.
What Catholic Men Talk About On A Camping Trip Read More »
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We don’t have any written record of anything the St. Joseph said. Sure, there have been visions of St. Joseph to certain seers over the past few millennia, but those are private revelations and the faithful do not have to believe them. I like to think that Joe was a pretty normal guy, set apart
10 Things St. Joseph Probably Said Read More »
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In Luke 1, Gabriel told Mary to call her son Jesus, which means “God saves”. Throughout the Bible, we are also told of Jesus’ many other names, along with their meanings. Here are a few. 1. The Word John 1 gives us this profound name of Jesus. John explains that from the beginning of
10 Biblical Names of Jesus and their Pivotal Meanings Read More »
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Pope St. John Paul II knew what he was about when he said that the Church must “breathe with both lungs”, those “lungs” being the Eastern Rites and Roman Rites (y’all have more than one too, y’know). The Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church are in full communion with Rome, but our liturgical and theological
10 Frustrations Every Eastern Rite Catholic Understands Read More »
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After encouragement from a friend and a conversation with the local prison chaplain, I signed up to help with a Residents Encounter Christ (REC) retreat. Created by Bishop Paul Dudley, the REC program is based on TEC retreats and has been serving the spiritual needs of the prison inmates incarcerated in eastern South Dakota since
I went on a Prison Retreat, and what I saw changed my life Read More »
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“Based on one of the greatest stories ever told.” Ben-Hur movie looks incredible, just check out out: Chariots Massive ships People rolling Morgan Freeman What else can you ask for? … Ben-Hur looks ridiculously exciting, and there’s reason for Catholics to get excited as well. Sophia Press has produces a companion book
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In the middle of the third quarter of the 2014-2015 school year, I sat down and started to write a book of daily reflections for teachers in Catholic schools. In a whirlwind of output, I managed to finish it around four months later, in the middle of the summer of 2015, and Called to Teach will be
5 Ways Any Catholic Can Make the Most of the New School Year Read More »
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Catholics have always had a healthy relationship with sporting events and since the 19th century even popes have been supportive and outspoken on the benefit of sporting to people. (For an interesting article on the matter, click here.) Pope Francis also recently said, “Sport is a universal language that brings together peoples, and can help persons
Famous Athletes Who Were/Are Outspoken About Their Catholic Faith Read More »
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The Olympics: an opportunity to see the lighting of the torch, a huge party, and the flags of 206 participating countries waving. Check out these 11 inspirational moments from Olympics past and present! 1. Rio’s 2016 Refugee Team In the 2016 Rio Olympics, a team of ten will march behind the Olympic flag. They
11 Unforgettable Olympic Moments That Will Truly Inspire You Read More »
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I once made a claim, not unlike Gus Portokalos claiming that every word can trace its origin to Greek (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), that every good thing you love came from a Catholic. Well, here are six reasons to thank Catholics for the great things of the world that you enjoy. 1. BEER!
All the Good Things You Love… Come from Catholics Read More »
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There are thousands of gorgeous places in world for the wandering vacationer to spend some time resting and relaxing. As you start budgeting our your next great adventure, you should consider Panama City as your destination – and here’s why: 1. It’s a modern city, but very historic Panama City is a modern Central American
Here’s Why Panama City Should Definitely Be Your Next Vacation Destination Read More »
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The Congregation of Holy Cross was founded by the French priest Blessed Basil Moreau in 1837. On September 15, 2007, Blessed Basil was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. Saint André Bessette (the first Holy Cross saint) was likewise canonized by Pope Benedict on October 17, 2010. Since Catholic education around the globe is a prime mission of
3 Ways That Saint André Bessette Can Help Prepare Us for the New School Year Read More »
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There is one pilgrimage I would never plan to visit: the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. I just don’t see what the big deal is with Our Lady of Guadalupe anyways. 1. First off, it’s in a rural area Which means there is nothing to do, at all. 2.
20 Reasons Nobody Should EVER Visit Our Lady of Guadalupe Read More »
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A commonplace argument among Catholic apologists, whenever the topic of sola scriptura arises, is that without an authority external to the Bible, one can not know which books belong in the Bible in the first place. No Protestant would argue that the table of contents is infallible, and yet somehow one must know that Galatians
Four Questions For Defenders of Sola Scriptura Read More »
