John M. Grondelski

John M. Grondelski (Ph.D., Fordham) is a former associate dean of the School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. All views expressed herein are his own.

recent articles

An Often Forgotten Sacramental

The wedding rings of a bride and groom are always a centerpiece of the ceremony and seen as a symbol of the marital bond. But for Catholics, it is much more than that.

The Prince Charming Problem

The “soul mate” ideal is ruining marriage as people seek Prince Charming instead of real partners. True love is found in regular, not perfect, people.

Restoring the Lord’s Day

As Fitzpatrick shows, worship is not just an “obligation” imposed externally by some deity but also a response to some of man’s deepest needs, yearnings, and sense of order.

Covid Mea Culpas?

Prior to the pandemic, Francis was promoting the image of the Church as “field hospital.” But real field hospitals do not strike tent in the middle of a battle.

Confirmation Confusion

The Archdiocese of Baltimore recently announced that children there can now be confirmed at age nine. The change ostensibly is intended to deepen their faith and better engage their parents in their religious formation.

The Pope, the Poor, “Pageantry and Prominence”

When the pope warns against “pageantry and prominence,” I want to know how he will also protect against tacky and tawdry because the latter has often been the practical upshot of post-Vatican II liturgical choices.

Keep Ringin’ Those Bells!

Are ringing bells during Mass a vestige of the bad old pre-1969 Mass, where everything was hidden from the People of God in a dead language and the priest had to get the congregation’s attention?

Robbing Abraham to Pay Bartholomew

The professional ecumenical class claims a common Easter would promote “Christian witness, unity, and evangelization.” The claim leaves me unconvinced because it does not address calendar differences.

Europe’s Wars of Anti-Religion

Recent attacks on religion in Europe show that the land that nursed Christianity to maturity is in desperate need of re-evangelization.

“Celebrating” Death?

The Secular Left continues to co-opt traditional ceremonies. First it was same-sex “weddings.” Now it’s “funerals” for those about to commit suicide.

Toying with the Holydays

The latest installment of episcopal follies just exploded over this year’s status of Immaculate Conception. Is it a Holy Day of Obligation or not? It depends.

Whitmer Disrespects the Eucharist, Insults Catholics

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recent TikTok video is either a desecration of the ritual of Communion, or she is completely unfamiliar with that central act of the Catholic and Orthodox faith. I don’t think it’s the latter.

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