Ben Dunne did ‘Christian thing’ to forgive captors, says son
Ben Dunne did “the Christian thing” and forgave his captors, according to the son of the iconic and controversial Irish businessman whose funeral took place on Tuesday, November 28. The former managing director of Dunnes Stores was also remembered by chief celebrant Fr Damian O’Reilly as a “generous and caring” man who “cherished” the Christian… […]
It’s showbiz for everyone now!
Whenever, as a youngster, I got involved in some prank, mischief or general boldness, the Loreto nuns would have recourse to the reprimand that I was just “looking for attention”. I was, they would say, just a “notice-box”. Bless them – how little did they realise what the future held, and into what age we… […]
Tóibín hits out at ‘vague’ Govt pledge law won’t ban pro-life march
An assurance from the Department of Health that pro-life marches won’t be affected by new exclusion zone legislation has been dubbed “incredibly vague”. Following a query from The Irish Catholic regarding so-called ‘safe-access zones’ around abortion providers, the department said in a statement: “There is no intention to criminalise bona fide protest marches which incidentally… […]
Need a Christmas Miracle? How to Pray the Never-Failing Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
November 30 is the feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Saint Andrew was Christ’s first apostle, which is why the church celebrates his feast early in the liturgical year. The Orthodox tradition also refers to him as Πρωτóκλητος, which means “First Called.” Jesus called Saint Andrew in Matt. 4:18-20: “As he was walking by the […]
The Best 2023 Catholic Advent Calendars
The liturgical year in the Catholic Church begins with the season of Advent. This year, the first Sunday of Advent is December 3. There are various traditions and liturgical practices associated with this season. It is also a time when secular society attempts to pull us away from Jesus and towards consumerism. Participating in one […]
Archbishop says catholic funerals for pets “unthinkable”
The catholic Archbishop of Freiburg , Stephan Burger, has said he is opposed to church funeral services for pets. “I am clearly in favour of an ethically responsible treatment of animals and am concerned about animal welfare. But we should not humanise animals. A catholic mourning rite specifically for pets is unthinkable for me,” he told […]
Russia, Personhood, and Society
Above: Yevgeny Zamyatin by Boris Kustodiev (1923). The creature is a perpetual question addressed to God. -Hans Urs von Balthasar The Twentieth Century posed the question of how to organize society. Russia, from the Tsarist centuries through the Soviet era and into post-Soviet times, has answered that question by favoring the state over the […]
The Stirring Pro-Life Example of Saint Margaret of Castello, Whose Disability Became a Pathway to Holiness
Is a disability really a reason for abortion? Saint Margaret of Castello is proof that reality is totally far from that statement. Her life of holiness is a great example for the pro-life movement! Today, many people say that the birth of a child with a disability is a tragedy. Faced with the growing openness to abortion […]
Babe Ruth’s Catholic Conversion Story & The Little-Known Sacramental He Took to His Grave
Babe Ruth is considered the greatest baseball player of all time. He was also known for his drinking, partying, womanizing, and for his appetite. But he was also a baptized Catholic. Babe Ruth Always Found His Way Back to the Catholic Faith In a letter written shortly before his death, Ruth explained his lifelong faith journey. And it was, quite […]
How Our Lady Gave Us The Miraculous Medal: The Supernatural Vision of Saint Catherine Labouré
The miraculous medal is a powerful sacramental. Our Lady presented the Miraculous Medal to French nun Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830 in Rue du Bac, Paris. Saint Maximilian Kolbe was also particularly devoted to this sacramental, as he recognized its power in assisting with conversions. Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s writings cite Saint Catherine Labouré’s incredible vision of Our Lady as […]