Psychology and Its Influence on Religion
Do we use our relationship with our earthly father to excuse our poor relationship with God? How do legitimate psychological factors impact our practice of our faith?
The Drive into the Desert
Christ’s “no” to Satan shows us how to face our temptations, choose God, and achieve lasting joy over worldly allure.
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.
Bad Theology Is at the Heart of Declining Numbers
Bad theology drives church decline. Orthodox believers stay, while those with unorthodox views leave. Generational data confirms it: faith falters with weak foundations.
Born Catholics, Converts, and Contemplation
Now that Catholicism is seen as a philosophy of life rather than a call to ongoing spiritual transformation, a simple intellectual reorientation seems to suffice as initiation for new members.
Mid-Lent and Midlife
I’m doing all the “right” things—praying, weekly Mass and Holy Hours, daily Rosary, almsgiving, giving God His due—and still not progressing in any discernable degree of holiness.
Navigating Our Brave New World
New technologies are rapidly transforming society. Are these radical changes good or bad for our emotional and spiritual lives?
A Liturgical Lesson From the Satanists
Limiting the reception of Holy Communion to the tongue is not a matter of being “conservative.”
My Palestinian Friends Taught Me How to Combat Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism is a demonic hatred, and so is anti-Palestinianism. But here is the difference: the latter is socially accepted, while the former, in most polite circles, is rightly reviled.
Born in Wonder: A Humanities Program Taught Us How to Change the World Through Literature
Through this program, the professors (a former WWII pilot, a cowboy, and an army veteran) transformed students by placing them in contact with authentic Christian ideas, texts, and culture.
Augustine the Saint
Clearly, after God, it is to Monica his mother that Augustine owes everything. And he heaps upon every memory he has of her, of the great goodness of her life and example, all possible praise.
Predatory Gambling Threatens University of Dallas
Gambling addiction is on the meteoric rise in America. How could it be otherwise? Casinos are everywhere—including, like porn, in the palm of your hand.
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.
Baseball Springs Eternal
Baseball remains America’s pastime, and more importantly, baseball is the sport that best teaches the lessons of life. I’d even go so far as to say it is a quintessentially Catholic sport.
The Silver Linings of the Apocalypse
Concerns about a dystopian trajectory for our society in response to pandemics has contributed to an awakening. Americans are now questioning standard assumptions about public health, science, medicine, vaccines, masking, and lockdowns.
Not Even AI Can Save Us Now
Inevitably, in the face of dire statistics about the Church, someone will try to rally us, explaining that if we just start synodaling more earnestly, then all will be well.
Politics, Prayer, and Poetry
Prayer and poetry are mysteriously similar, though: words seeking wisdom, spiritual interaction, and renewal; both springing from man’s desire to live forever.
How Young May the Next Pope Be?
Elderly popes had been the norm for several reasons. Wisdom, of course, comes with age. So does a proven track record. Near-octogenarians have also been elected as “stop-gaps,” such as John XXIII
Contra Frequent Holy Communion?
So, does frequent Holy Communion really drive away Catholics? Unfortunately, tragically, I would say yes, sometimes, maybe even often.
How Subsidiarity Got Astronauts Home and Gets the Mail Delivered
The symbolism of SpaceX rescuing astronauts when governmental agencies and massive defense contractors were seemingly unwilling or unable to act underscores the relevance of the Catholic principle of subsidiarity.