Laxism is a moral position that in a position of doubt tends to the easiest or least demanding alternative. Christians certainly suffer from this position, but I want to focus rather an the general laxity of the practice of penance, Read more…
I was recently interviewed by Catholic News Agency and the Philadelphia Inquirer about St. Joseph’s University new Certificate in Cannabis Studies. I raised moral questions about this, because, even when legalized for medical purposes, marijuana has been used primarily for Read more…
Is it loving to condone sin or participate in it? It’s amazing how often people say that we need to be like Jesus in accepting the behavior of sinners, even though Jesus himself called everyone to repent and to accept Read more…
Everyone can agree on one point at least: ad orientem worship is controversial. I appreciate the thoughtful and detailed response to my Denver Catholic column on ad orientem worship by Fr. Felix Media-Algaba, “Eucharistic Orientation according to Vatican II.” Here Read more…
What does it mean to be conservative? The modern ideal of conservatism arose as a rejection of Enlightenment principles and their instantiation in political revolution, particularly the French Revolution. Conservatives such as Burke and de Maistre defended the centrality of Read more…
God is not calling us to become a version of ourselves. Although we are made in his image, he seeks to recreate us in the likeness of Christ. The goal of the spiritual life is move beyond the self and Read more…
On the surface, Advent and Lent are liturgical seasons expressed by the color violet, which prepare for a major feast. It is common to hear one explanation of the difference, that only Lent (and not Advent) is a penitential season, Read more…
In my last post, I looked at some things that went wrong for Spencer Trappist Brewery in Massachusets. Remarkably, a Catholic bishop in Norway (of the territorial prelature of Trondheim to be precise), Bishop Erik Varden, OSCO, is a Trappist, Read more…
Many of us were excited for the first American Trappist brewery back in 2014 at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. I was inspired to write The Beer Option: Brewing a Catholic Culture Yesterday & Today by the long tradition Read more…
Classical music speaks to us, even if much of it is wordless. It communicates to us, nonetheless, through its powerful and complex melody, rhythm, and harmony, employing a beautiful and mathematical language that enchants, agitates at times, inspires, sooths, and Read more…