"We are travellers…not yet in our native land" – St. Augustine
A little while ago there were some statistics released following a large survey asking 3,400 Americans basic questions about Christianity and world religions. Catholics didn’t perform well. How well would you have done?
Why do you think Catholics performed so badly and, more importantly, how do you think we can reverse this arrested development?
It’s time for a Reading List update and, thanks to my vacation and several long plane rides, I have much progress to report…
John Loncar recently posted a great quotation on Shameless Popery that I found really touching and wanted to share. This is an extract from a letter written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century theologian and a Doctor of the Church, which he wrote to a couple who had suffered the tragedy of a miscarriage:
“Your faith spoke for this child. Baptism for this child was only delayed by time. Your faith suffices. The waters of your womb — were they not the waters of life for this child? Look at your tears. Are they not like the waters of baptism? Do not fear this. God’s ability to love is greater than our fears. Surrender everything to God.” – St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Nothing major today, I just wanted to share a short article on Apostolic Succession by Francis Beckwith which I stumbled across while online:
Since it was recently reported that the late Pope John Paul II will soon be declared a canonized Saint, I thought it would be nice to have a JP2-related Friday Frivolity this week.
A little while ago I came across some footage on YouTube of the former Pope when he was visiting California in the late 80’s…
Today’s quotation seems very appropriate since I arrived back into San Diego last night. Who would you like in your heavenly welcoming party?
Just in case God asks who I want to [meet me in Heaven], I’ve got my list ready.
My desired greeting team includes not only my father and grandmother, but also John Fisher and John Paul II, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Sienna , Fr. Caj, Sr. Rose, Sr. Diane, Blessed Mary, and Jesus Himself. All waiting to receive me as the newest arrival into the family of God once and for all. Waiting to say, “Welcome home!”
– Jeff Cavins, “I’m not being fed!”