Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland

Stephen N. Filippo has a marvelous essay on Pelagianism on Ignatius Insight . This article originally appeared in a slightly different form in the November 1997 issue of Catholic Dossier. Here are just a few paragraphs to give you a peek: Although Pelagianism promoted moral fervor, there was an inherent danger in it: self-reliance, not God-reliance, based upon an inadequate understanding of human nature. Pelagianism stressed complete human autonomy and freedom of the will before God. Pelagius posited three elements to any moral action: 1. that we must be able to do it, 2. that we must be willing to do it, and 3. that the action must be carried out. Or the three elements can be described as possibility, will, and action. Possibility is a natural gift from God alone, but the other two, since they arise from man's choice, are from man. For instance, God has freely given us the gifts of speech, sight, hearing, etc., and the power to speak, see hear, etc., yet whether or not thes

I can't possibly describe the amazing treasure that the Saint John Cantius Society has placed on the internet in short order following the Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum . Here is an online tutorial of the TLM with videos, photos and even MP3s of the Latin text being recited . This is just a brief portion of the treasures found herein. This is not to be missed! Please email a link to this website to all those you know who are interested in the TLM!

Catholic Exchange carries a post today by Marc Shea on the TLM . Here is a snippet: When I reply that I have been exposed to the Tridentine Rite and that my chief impression from the experience was, “Ah! Now I see why they wanted to reform the liturgy!” I elicit frowns of disdain. Mind: I don’t mean that I think the Tridentine rite “inferior” any more than I think the Paul VI rite inferior. I think my proper response to the Mass is gratitude, not a critical spirit. But, speaking only for me, I find the Paul VI Mass more spiritually nourishing (though any liturgy promulgated by the Church is good enough for me and I wish all good to those who attend the Holy Liturgy in any of its approved forms). For this sin of believing and professing that any approved liturgy of the Church is good enough for me and that it’s not my job to find fault but to gratefully receive, I’m told that what I’m really saying is “it is all about me and what the liturgy does or doesn't do for me.” In that mar

George P. Matysek Jr. reports in the January 7th on-line edition of the The Catholic Review that vocations are on the rise in Baltimore: When Father Gerard Francik recently interviewed a 19-year-old man who was thinking about becoming a priest, the archdiocesan vocations director asked him to talk about his prayer life. The former high school football player told Father Francik how he faithfully makes a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, attends Mass or Communion services, prays the rosary and observes the liturgy of the hours – every day. “I was just blown away,” said Father Francik. “He was very dedicated to his faith.” That young man is typical of the kind of people who are stepping forward to become priests these days, according to Father Francik. Many are still in their teens, and they show unbridled enthusiasm for living out their religious convictions, he said. “This generation has a different view,” said Father Francik. “They’re much more service-oriented. They’re

I have had occasion to need advice on any variety of bioethical issues given from a totally Catholic perspective that is totally faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. The National Catholic Bioethics Center is a clearinghouse of superb information. The Board of Directors is superb and includes a large number of top episcopal advisers. The e-newsletter is one I read faithfully. There are position papers on all manner of issues, and subscriptions are incredibly reasonable for the NCBC periodical, "Ethics and Medics." The End of Life guide is a must for all Catholics . The purchase price is incredibly modest and it includes a prototype Advanced Medical Directive and an appointment sheet for a Health Care Proxy. The site is a must for all priests and seminarians as well as for informed Catholics. It is worth a look-see! The site is totally faithful to the Magisterial teachings of the Church and is recommended by the Catholic Medical Association as its bioethica

Zenit carries the feel good news story of today from the Winston-Salem Journal: Washington DC, Jan 8, 2008 / 02:11 pm ( CNA ) .- A provision in a 2008 domestic spending bill will change the positioning of the national motto “In God We Trust” on new dollar coins honoring U.S. presidents, the Winston Salem-Journal reports. The motto will move from the edge of the new dollar coins to the front or the back of the currency. Critics had complained about the present placement of the motto, claiming its position on the outer edge of the coins would trivialize the words. The $555 billion domestic spending bill signed into law by President Bush in December included a provision mandating the design change “as soon as is practicable.” The U.S. Mint began producing the one-dollar coins in 2007, initially honoring the first four presidents. The 2008 coins will continue the present design, but the motto will be repositioned for the 2009 minting. Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research

The Cafeteria is closed reveals a deeply guarded secret within the Vatican. He only has little time for himself. Recently he told his "roommates" in the Papal apartment what he does when he has time to daydream - thinking about writing a book on cats. After the funeral of his friend Pope John Paul II., Joseph Ratzinger thought he'd be able to return home to Germany after 24 years in Rome. He had a plan - writing stories, stories about cats. Joseph Ratzinger had cats around himself for decades, as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The CDF is on the Via Aurelia, one of the most traffic-heavy streets in Rome. Daily, cats are killed or injured. Quite a few drag themselves into the garden of the CDF, where Ratzinger resided and movingly cared for them, feeding them, bandaging their wounds, watching them lie in the sun and slowly get better. And he gave names to all of them. He wanted to write about these cats, but the election to the Papacy foiled these p